H-1B Hiring for Genetic Counselors is Minimal and Highly Specialized
Explore H-1B visa filings for Genetic Counselors. View sponsoring employers, salary data from 100 filings, and approval rates from DOL public records.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total H-1B Petitions | 100 |
| Approval Rate | 99% |
| Average Salary | $89,606 |
| Salary Range | $65,437 - $147,326 |
| Top Sponsor | Sharp Healthcare |
| Primary Location | California |
Genetic Counselors is one of the H-1B visa categories with 8 filings and an average salary of $103,462. Hiring for Genetic Counselors on H-1B is extremely limited, with only 8 petitions filed in FY2025. The vast majority of these petitions (87.5%) are for new employment, indicating a low turnover or established workforce. The data suggests a highly specialized and niche field with minimal H-1B utilization.
| Total Filings | 100 |
| Approval Rate | 99% |
| Average Salary | $89,606 |
| Median Salary | $85,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,499 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,278 |
| Minimum Salary | $65,437 |
| Maximum Salary | $147,326 |
| 10th Percentile | $67,746 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,499 |
| Median (50th) | $85,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,278 |
| 90th Percentile | $114,631 |
| Average | $89,606 |
| Sample Size | 100 |
| Education Level | Filings |
|---|---|
| Not Specified | 100 |
| State | Filings |
|---|---|
| California | 22 |
| Washington | 11 |
| Florida | 9 |
| New York | 9 |
| Illinois | 8 |
| Massachusetts | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 |
| Ohio | 3 |
| Missouri | 3 |
| Tennessee | 3 |
Given the extremely limited H-1B opportunities for Genetic Counselors, focus on roles with established sponsorship or explore alternative visa pathways if available.
The average H-1B salary for Genetic Counselors is $103,462, with a median of $102,211. The 25th-75th percentile range is $93,579 to $114,899.
Top H-1B sponsors for Genetic Counselors include Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Dignity Health, University of California, Davis, BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA, INC.. A total of 8 employers have filed for this role.
There are 8 H-1B filings on record for Genetic Counselors positions. 100.0% were certified.
The top states for H-1B Genetic Counselors positions are California (3), Illinois (1), Washington (1), Florida (1), North Carolina (1).
Yes, Genetic Counselors is a qualifying occupation for H-1B visa sponsorship. There are 8 approved H-1B petitions for this role in the database.
H-1B Genetic Counselors salaries range from $78,000 to $147,326. The median salary is $102,211.
The approval rate for Genetic Counselors H-1B petitions is 100.0%. All 8 petitions in FY2025 are for new employment, suggesting a very small number of new entrants.
The geographic distribution is highly concentrated, with California receiving the most petitions (3).
Given the extremely limited H-1B opportunities for Genetic Counselors, focus on roles with established sponsorship or explore alternative visa pathways if available.
The median salary offered is $102,211, which is competitive for specialized healthcare roles.
The Genetic Counselors occupation (SOC code 29-909200) is classified under the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system maintained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The SOC system groups workers into occupational categories based on the type of work performed, providing a standardized framework for comparing wages, employment levels, and workforce trends across the United States.
Genetic Counselors positions fall within the specialty occupation category required for H-1B visa sponsorship, meaning they typically require the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and at minimum a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in the specific specialty. Based on H-1B filing data, the most common education requirement for Genetic Counselors positions is Not Specified (100 filings), followed by other degree levels.
Across 100 LCA filings tracked by H1BSalaryCheck, Genetic Counselors positions show an average offered salary of $89,606, with a range from $65,437 at the entry level to $147,326 for senior positions. The largest concentration of H-1B filings for this role is in California (22 filings) and Washington (11 filings).
Career outlook for Genetic Counselors professionals is closely tied to industry demand for specialized skills. Employers sponsoring H-1B workers for this role are demonstrating that they could not find sufficient qualified U.S. workers to fill these positions, which often signals strong demand and competitive compensation. Workers in this occupation may also be eligible for other visa categories including L-1 intracompany transfers, O-1 extraordinary ability visas, or employment-based green card sponsorship through the PERM process.
To sponsor a foreign worker for an H-1B visa in a Genetic Counselors role, U.S. employers must satisfy several requirements established by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and enforced by both the Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
The position must qualify as a "specialty occupation," meaning it requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and at minimum a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in a specific specialty directly related to the position. For Genetic Counselors roles, H-1B filings indicate that employers most commonly require a Not Specified degree. USCIS evaluates whether the position itself, not just the employer's preference, genuinely requires specialized education.
Employers must pay H-1B workers at least the prevailing wage for the occupation in the geographic area of employment, as determined by the DOL. The prevailing wage is based on four skill levels (Level 1 through Level 4) that reflect the complexity of the job duties and required experience. For Genetic Counselors positions, the average offered salary of $89,606 exceeds prevailing wages by an average of 9.9%, with 69% of filings offering above the prevailing wage.
Before filing the H-1B petition, employers must obtain a certified LCA from the DOL. The LCA requires employers to attest to four conditions: (1) paying at least the prevailing wage or actual wage, whichever is higher; (2) providing working conditions that do not adversely affect similarly employed U.S. workers; (3) no strike or lockout at the worksite; and (4) proper notice of the filing to workers. The overall LCA approval rate for Genetic Counselors positions is 99%.
The annual H-1B cap is set at 65,000 regular visas plus 20,000 for beneficiaries with U.S. master's degrees or higher (the "master's cap"). Certain employers, including institutions of higher education, nonprofit research organizations, and government research organizations, are exempt from the cap. Genetic Counselors positions at cap-exempt employers can be filed at any time during the year, while cap-subject employers must participate in the annual H-1B lottery, typically held in March for the following fiscal year.
H-1B visas are initially granted for up to three years and can be extended for a maximum of six years total. Workers who have an approved I-140 immigrant petition (part of the green card process) may be eligible for extensions beyond the six-year limit under the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC21). The average contract duration for Genetic Counselors H-1B filings is approximately 36 months.
Cities with the most H-1B filings for Genetic Counselors positions.
| City | State | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | Washington | 9 |
| Chicago | Illinois | 8 |
| San Diego | California | 5 |
| Miami | Florida | 5 |
| Sacramento | California | 4 |
| Boston | Massachusetts | 4 |
| Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 4 |
| Bronx | New York | 4 |
| Los Angeles | California | 3 |
| Tampa | Florida | 3 |