Gene Editing (CRISPR) Scientist: Uses CRISPR and other tools to cut and rewrite DNA, for research or new therapies. Typical pay $130k.
Gene Therapy Scientist: Develops treatments that fix or replace faulty genes inside patients' cells. Typical pay $128k.
Pharmacogenomics Scientist: Studies how a person's genes change the way they respond to medicines. Typical pay $120k.
Genomics Field Application Scientist: Travels to labs to teach scientists how to use DNA-sequencing machines and fix problems. Typical pay $120k.
Epigeneticist: Studies chemical tags on DNA that switch genes on or off without changing the DNA code. Typical pay $110k.
Clinical Laboratory Geneticist: Board-certified PhD or MD who directs genetic testing labs and signs off on patient results. Typical pay $175k.
Single-Cell Genomics Scientist: Reads the genes active in individual cells to map every cell type in a tissue. Typical pay $125k.
Mid pay: solid pay, degree or apprenticeship
Research Geneticist: Studies genes and DNA to learn how traits and diseases are inherited. Typical pay $100k.
Genetic Counselor: Helps patients and families understand their genetic test results and what they mean for their health. Typical pay $99k.
Ancient DNA Researcher: Extracts DNA from bones thousands of years old to reveal how ancient people and animals lived and migrated. Typical pay $85k.
Population Geneticist: Studies how genes change across whole populations over generations. Typical pay $95k.
Clinical Variant Scientist: Decides whether a DNA change found in a patient is harmful, harmless, or unknown. Typical pay $95k.
Conservation Geneticist: Uses DNA to help save endangered species—tracking inbreeding, poaching, and population health. Typical pay $80k.
Animal Breeding Geneticist: Uses genetics to breed healthier, more productive farm animals. Typical pay $78k.
Cytogenetic Technologist: Examines chromosomes under a microscope to detect genetic disorders and cancers. Typical pay $72k.
Molecular Diagnostics Technologist: Runs DNA and RNA tests in hospital labs to diagnose infections, cancers, and inherited diseases. Typical pay $68k.
Genetic Genealogist: Uses DNA test results and family trees to find relatives, solve adoption mysteries, and even identify crime suspects. Typical pay $60k.
Newborn Screening Scientist: Tests the blood spots taken from nearly every US baby's heel to catch rare genetic diseases early, before symptoms appear. Typical pay $70k.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing Scientist: Tests a few cells from IVF embryos for genetic problems before they are transferred, helping families avoid serious inherited diseases. Typical pay $80k.
Relationship DNA Testing Analyst: Runs DNA tests that prove family relationships for courts, child support cases and immigration, such as paternity tests. Typical pay $60k.
Starter: fastest way in
DNA Sequencing Technician: Prepares DNA samples and runs the machines that read genetic code. Typical pay $52k.
Biobank Technician: Stores and tracks thousands of frozen tissue, blood, and DNA samples for future research. Typical pay $45k.
Genetic Counseling Assistant: Supports genetic counselors by gathering family histories, scheduling tests, and handling paperwork. Typical pay $46k.
Genotyping Technician: Runs DNA tests that identify the genetic makeup of plants, animals, or research mice. Typical pay $46k.
Drosophila Stock Center Technician: Keeps tens of thousands of strains of fruit flies alive for scientists worldwide, flipping them into fresh food vials and shipping orders. Typical pay $40k.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.