You might have joined the fad of having your genetic testing. In fact, you might be studying it. Do you know what the highest paying genetics jobs are? Read on to discover the salary, requirements, and much more.
We’ve explored the Internet for information to help us answer the question “What could be the highest paying genetics jobs in the world today?”
The good news is that it does not matter what university you attended or what you studied in college. The world of Genetics is brimming with opportunities for all genetics career paths regardless of academic background.
There are jobs for medical technicians, pharmacists, and even beginners, especially if you have skills that employers need.
Here are the 10 highest paying genetics jobs.
Here is a video summary based on this article
Table of Contents
#10. Research Specialist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $31,000 per year
- High Range: $185,000 per year
- Median Pay: $70,229 per year
What do they do?
Research Specialists conduct research and perform analysis to solve problems or develop new processes or products. They design, execute and analyze experiments. These professionals document their work, prepare research reports, and make recommendations based on the results of their analyses.
Where do they work?
Research Specialists work in many different industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, government, education, technology, and finance. Some Research Specialists may travel to collect data samples or meet with vendors.
The average salary for a Research Specialist is $70,229 per year. The salary range for Research Specialists varies depending on their level of education and experience.
What degrees are usually required?
Most Research Specialists hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field such as biology or chemistry. Some employers may require Research Specialists to have a Master’s degree or a Ph.D., but this varies by industry.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
The answer to this could be any companies who want to stay relevant in the ever changing world.
- Universities
- Consulting firms
- Banks
- Government services
What is the best way to get this job?
Gain experience through internships or volunteer work while you’re still in school. These positions can also help you build a professional network for your career after graduation. Working with a mentor experienced in the research field can also be very helpful in beginning your career path.
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What is it like to work as a Research Specialist?
#9. Geneticist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $51,000 per year
- High Range: $150,000 per year
- Median Pay: $78,900 per year
What do they do?
Geneticists are often found in the laboratory, conducting experiments or analyzing complex data. They use their expertise in genetics to identify patterns and anomalies in organisms’ genetic makeup.
These professionals conduct their work under the supervision of a senior scientist, who approves the geneticists’ research to ensure it is ethical and good science. They often specialize in areas such as cancer genetics, neurogenetics, or human genetics.
These professionals typically earn an annual average salary of 78,900, depending on their location, experience level, and industry.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Geneticists should have a master’s degree or Ph.D. in genetics or a related field such as molecular biology or biochemistry. Some colleges and universities offer undergraduate degrees in genetics as well.
- Superior organizational skills.
- Great communication skills.
- Critical thinking skills.
- Analytical skills.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
- Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, Columbia.
- Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids.
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
- Medicus Firm, Fresno.
What is the best way to get this job?
Check out job boards and company websites for job openings. Then send well-written resumes to the HR department.
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What is it like to work as a Geneticist?
#8. Genetic Counselor
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Salary.com
- Low Range: $65,635 per year
- High Range: $97,934 per year
- Median Pay: $80,511 per year
What do they do?
Genetic counselors are health professionals who work in healthcare facilities to help patients understand their genetic information. These healthcare providers interpret and communicate complex information about genetic disorders and how they affect human health, pregnancy, and the likelihood of developing certain diseases.
What degrees are usually required?
The minimum educational requirement for a genetic counselor is a master’s degree. Many genetic counselors have an advanced degree in biological sciences or a related field before completing their graduate studies in genetic counseling.
The average salary for a genetic counselor is $80,511 per year. The job outlook for genetic counselors is excellent—with growth expected at 26% over the next decade.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
- Clinics e.g Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
- Digital health companies e.g Genome Medical, San Francisco.
- Learning institutions e.g Yale University, New Haven.
- Hospitals e.g UCHealth, Colorado Springs.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can start by searching for job vacancies on specific company websites. When you find jobs that interest you, submit your resume through their website.
What is it like to work as a Genetic Counselor?
#7. Science Writer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $34,000 per year
- High Range: $210,000 per year
- Median Pay: $82,896 per year
What do they do?
Science writers are responsible for communicating complex and technical information to the general public. They may work in print or online media or as science writers for corporations and nonprofit institutions. Besides writing, they might also work as editors, coordinating the work of other writers.
Science writers typically earn an average salary of $82k per year, depending on their location and experience level.
However, you might want to watch out for the lower pay range.
Science Writers are a lot like actors or artists in the entertainment industry.
Most artists make little money with a few stars earning a lot of money. The income distribution curve looks like a U-curve or a bi-modal distribution – heavy on either side “rich” or “poor” with few in between.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
The educational requirements vary by employer but typically include a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or one of the sciences.
Science writers need excellent writing skills and an understanding of the scientific process.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
- Research organizations such as Syneos Health.
- Pharmaceuticals such as Merck.
What is the best way to get this job?
A good way to do this is by improving your writing skills and making yourself more marketable by getting experience working for other publications.
In today’s world, you can get a faster feedback loop by exploring platforms such as Medium or even Quora to hone your writing skills.
Jordan Peterson recalls that he first started on Quora to answer questions. Because of the meritocracy nature of this platform, one gets brutally honest feedback from the market. Dr. Peterson wrote something about rules to live by in life, which eventually turn into a book.
Ps. Dr. Peterson’s Quora answer was deleted by Quora for unclear reasons.
How do you become a professional Science Writer?
#6. Genetics Analyst
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $58,000 per year
- High Range: $115,000 per year
- Median Pay: $88,034 per year
What do they do?
Genetic analysts are healthcare professionals who work with genetic code, DNA, and RNA to determine what makes us who we are. They can be found in laboratories of all sorts, from pharmaceutical companies to hospitals to research facilities. Give one a small sample of your blood, and they’ll be able to learn a lot about you.
While the salary for a genetic analyst varies greatly depending on the location and type of facility where they work. Their average salary is nearly $88,034 per year.
What degrees are usually required?
You can get started as a genetic analyst with just an associate’s degree—but a bachelor’s or master’s degree will vastly improve your employability.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
There are a few categories of companies hiring:
- Personal genomics.
- Pharmacogenomics.
- Genomics combined with Artificial Intelligence.
- Precision Oncology.
- Genetic ancestry.
- Bioinformatics,
- CRISPR.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can start with an entry-level position as a medical scientist or genetic analyst. Once you get into the world of working with genetics and medicine, you then begin climbing up the career ladder until you reach the top.
The future looks bright in this field with startups such as 23 and Me, Color targeting the Personal genomics space.
What is it like to work as a Genetics Analyst?
#5. Medical Technologist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $32,000 per year
- High Range: $297,000 per year
- Median Pay: $96,426 per year
What do they do?
Medical technologists are an essential part of the healthcare industry in America. They are responsible for analyzing samples from patients and then using those analyses to detect, diagnose, and monitor diseases.
A medical technologist’s salary is typically variable, depending on one’s education level, experience level, and where they work.
Experienced medical technologists working in large industries can earn as high as $810k per year. But, the average medical technologist makes an annual average salary of $96,426.
What degrees and experience are usually required?
The educational requirements for medical technicians vary based on their employer and work setting. Some employers require candidates to have only a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or a related field. Other employers may accept a candidate with an associate degree or even a high school diploma if they have received specialized medical technology training or completed an internship program.
Most employers prefer candidates who have at least one year of clinical laboratory experience working as a medical technician or assistant prior to applying for an open position as a medical technologist.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
- Clinical laboratories such as Quest Diagnostics.
- Associated Regional and University Pathologists.
- HCA Healthcare
- Ascension, Saint Louis.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can start by applying and interviewing for jobs. Then you improve your knowledge to move up the ladder.
What is it like to work as a Medical Technologist?
#4. Research Computational Biologist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $62,500 per year
- High Range: $128,500 per year
- Median Pay: $102,226 per year
What do they do?
They wear many hats, including the hats of computer programmers, biochemists, and data analysts. Research Computational biologists use their unique skills to solve complex biological problems with computational programs.
What degrees are usually required?
The educational requirements are steep. A BS is a minimum requirement, though most research computational biologists have PhDs or MDs. The average salary for these research professionals is $102,226 per year.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
- Biotechnology companies.
- Treatment and research institutions such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston.
- Biosciences industries.
What is the best way to get this job?
To get started as a computational biologist, look for entry-level research positions at pharmaceutical companies or laboratories. You can also apply for an internship in the field to get relevant experience before applying for full-time work.
How do you become a Computational Biologist?
#3. Assistant Research Professor
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $43,000 per year
- High Range: $279,000 per year
- Median Pay: $109,686per year
What do they do?
Assistant Research Professors are responsible for assisting students, researchers, and professors in their research projects. They also oversee the daily operations of the lab.
These professionals can pay anywhere from $31,000 per year to over $433k per year, depending on their experience level and location.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
To become an Assistant Research Professor, you need to have a Ph.D., Master’s Degree, or Bachelor’s Degree in science-related fields such as Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. You may also need one to five years of experience working as a researcher at another institution or in an industry-related field.
Assistant Research Professors must have excellent communication skills, both verbally and written. They must be able to speak clearly when explaining procedures to students and colleagues alike.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
You can land your dream job in learning institutions such as.
- The University of Pittsburgh.
- New York University.
- The University of Michigan.
- Rutgers University.
- Temple University.
What is the best way to get this job?
Use your network to seek openings in public universities and other private institutions. Then you submit your resume and interview for the jobs.
How do you become an Assistant Research Professor?
#2. Clinical Pharmacologists
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Salary.com
- Low Range: $100,708 per year
- High Range: $127,009 per year
- Median Pay: $113,286 per year
What do they do?
Clinical pharmacologists are healthcare professionals who study how drugs interact with the body and help to develop new pharmaceuticals. They might work with doctors, researchers, or other medical professionals to evaluate the effects of different medications on humans.
The data from Salary.com estimates that clinical pharmacologists earn an average salary of $113,286 per year, but this number will vary depending on where you live and who is employing you.
What degrees and certifications are usually required?
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, physicians go through three years of medical school followed by one year in an internship and three years of residency training before they’re ready to practice medicine independently.
Clinical pharmacologists must also be board-certified by the American Board of Clinical Pharmacology (ABCP), which is overseen by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Clinical pharmacologists can work in a variety of places:
- Hospitals.
- Laboratories.
- Government agencies.
- Educational institutions.
- Pharmaceutical companies or any company that manufactures medical devices.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can start as a medical assistant or a medical researcher. From there, you can narrow your focus on pharmacology and work your way up the ladder.
How do you become a Clinical Pharmacologist?
#1. Clinical Molecular Geneticist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Salary.com
- Low Range: $125,578 per year
- High Range: $182,387 per year
- Median Pay: $151,881 per year
What do they do?
Clinical molecular geneticists are medical scientists who have undergone additional training in genetics.
Clinical molecular geneticists are experts in the field of genetics and specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with genetic diseases. They work closely with patients to determine whether a disease is likely to be inherited, if it’s a new mutation, or if environmental factors cause it. They also provide advice to patients about how best to treat genetic diseases, often providing family counseling.
Clinical molecular geneticists typically earn an average salary of $151,881 per year. Those who manage their own clinics or labs earn more.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Clinical molecular geneticists have completed an undergraduate degree and then earned an MD or Ph.D. in medical science or genetics.
They must also complete a one-year residency program followed by three years of specialized training in genetics. The American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) offers certification for those who want to practice clinical medicine as a clinical molecular geneticist.
- Attention to detail.
- Good analytical skills.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
- Labcorp, Research Triangle Park.
- Molecular and clinical data libraries such as Tempus, Chicago.
- Genetics testing companies such as GeneDX, Gaithersburg.
What is the best way to get this job?
Apply for internship programs and low-level jobs. Then develop relevant skills for top positions.
How do you become a Clinical Molecular Geneticist?
Conclusion
Some of the best-paid genetics jobs are likely to be on this list. These jobs for environmental scientists, medical scientists, genetic specialists, pharmacy technicians, and research scientists are available for everyone with a genetics degree.
If you’ve got the skills required to do the job, it may be worth considering these higher-paying genetics jobs to choose your career path. Who knows where they’ll take your career?
