Genetic Counselors pay range in San Francisco
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $122,200 a year or less, while the top 10% make $186,890 or more. The middle half of genetic counselors in San Francisco earn between $133,980 and $186,890.
- $122K10th
- $134K25th
- $178KMedian
- $187K75th
- $187K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $159,680 | $13,307 | $76.77 |
| Median | $177,990 | $14,832 | $85.57 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $133,980 | $11,165 | $64.41 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $186,890 | $15,574 | $89.85 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Genetic Counselors pay in San Francisco vs. California and the U.S.
Genetic counselors in San Francisco earn 12% more than the California average ($143,090) and 53% more than the U.S. average ($104,620). At the median the gap is +78% against the U.S. median of $100,040.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $159,680 | $177,990 | $122,200 | $186,890 | 120 |
| California | $143,090 | $137,650 | $105,810 | $178,040 | 440 |
| United States | $104,620 | $100,040 | $78,270 | $138,760 | 3,740 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Genetic Counselors salary after taxes in San Francisco
On the average salary of $159,680, a single filer in San Francisco takes home about $109,649 a year, or $9,137 a month and $4,217 every two weeks. Taxes take 31% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Francisco a good place for genetic counselors? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Francisco area are 16% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 115.6), so the average $159,680 buys what about $138,116 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.4 times the median wage of all jobs in San Francisco ($74,260). A typical home costs $1,149,215, or 7.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Genetic Counselors salary in other California cities
San Francisco ranks 1st of 3 California metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- San Francisco$159,680
- San Jose$155,940
- Los Angeles$126,530
Highest-paying cities for genetic counselors
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($159,680).
- San Francisco, CA$159,680
- San Jose, CA$155,940
- Los Angeles, CA$126,530
- New York, NY$115,310
- Seattle, WA$111,730
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Genetic Counselors salary in San Francisco: questions
How much do genetic counselors make an hour in San Francisco?
$76.77 an hour on average, and $85.57 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level genetic counselors salary in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $122,200 a year and the 25th percentile is $133,980, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the genetic counselors take-home pay in San Francisco?
About $109,649 a year ($9,137 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $159,680. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do genetic counselors earn more in San Francisco than elsewhere?
The average here is 53% more than the U.S. average for this job ($104,620).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-9092; area San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (41860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.5%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 2.07, this job is 2.1 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.