Genetic Counselor salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Genetic Counselors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $95,880 a year ($46.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,140 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $100,040. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $95,880. There are 0.02 genetic counselors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $96,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for genetic counselors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,780 | $40.76 |
| 25th percentile | $86,590 | $41.63 |
| Median | $95,880 | $46.10 |
| 75th percentile | $102,020 | $49.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,140 | $55.84 |
| Average (mean) | $96,500 | $46.39 |
Half of genetic counselors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,990 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,995 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,687.69 |
| Weekly | $1,843.85 |
| Hourly | $46.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for genetic counselors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $137,650 |
| New Jersey | $117,750 |
| New York | $107,450 |
| Colorado | $106,100 |
| Delaware | $106,010 |
| Washington | $102,920 |
| Arizona | $102,730 |
| Florida | $102,330 |
| Minnesota | $102,010 |
| Connecticut | $101,640 |
See Genetic Counselor pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Assistant | $80,210 | $38.56 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Athletic Trainer | $65,780 | — |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $94,820 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $78,070 | $37.54 |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $63.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a genetic counselor make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for genetic counselors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $95,880 a year, or $46.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid genetic counselors make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of genetic counselors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $116,140 a year. The top 25% earn $102,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for genetic counselors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,780 a year, and a quarter of genetic counselors earn $86,590 or less.
How many genetic counselors work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 80 genetic counselors are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.