Skip to main content
Research and the lab

Geneticist

Studies how genes are passed on and how changes in DNA shape traits and disease, in people, animals, plants or microbes.

Geneticists work in universities, research institutes, hospital genomics labs and biotech companies, and many combine lab work with computing. It suits patient, logical people who enjoy puzzles and are comfortable with data.

Also called Research geneticist, Medical geneticist or Genomic scientist.

At a glance

Way in
PhD, often in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedical science and biology
Pay in the US
$98,920 a year, the medianFor biological scientists, all other, the group O*NET places geneticists in, 2025
Pay in the UK
£35,000 starting to £58,000 with experience
US outlook
Faster than average, 2025-2035
Suits you if
You enjoy puzzles, patterns and data and want to know how inheritance works.

Pay is a guide: it moves with the country, the employer, the sector and the years in the job. Figures from O*NET OnLine (US) and the National Careers Service (UK); see the sources below.

The work

What does a geneticist do?

  • Plan experiments to find which genes or variants affect a trait or disease.
  • Extract and sequence DNA and RNA, and run tests such as PCR.
  • Analyse sequence data with statistics and bioinformatics tools.
  • Work out what a genetic change means for development and health.
  • Write up findings for journals and present them at conferences.

Where they work

  • Universities and research institutes
  • Hospital genomics labs
  • Biotechnology companies
  • Agricultural research centres

Skills

The skills a geneticist needs

  • Molecular techniquesDNA extraction, PCR and sequencing
  • Data analysisstatistics, coding and genome databases
  • InheritanceMendelian, population and quantitative genetics
  • Critical thinkingdesigning controls and questioning results
  • Writingpapers, grant applications and reports
  • Ethicshandling genetic data with care and consent

Route in

How to become a geneticist

  1. Study biology and chemistry at school, with maths if you can.
  2. Take a degree in genetics or a related life science, ideally with a research project.
  3. Complete a PhD in genetics or genomics; a master's can lead to technical and lab posts.
  4. Gain postdoctoral experience, then apply for independent research or senior industry posts.

Degrees people take

  • Genetics
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical science
  • Biology

Clinical geneticists who see patients are doctors who specialise after medical school. In the UK, hospital genomic scientists can train through the NHS Scientist Training Programme.

Practise for it

The quizzes and tools that fit

Also on biofideX

Next to it

Careers to weigh against it

Sources

Where the facts come from

Written for biofideX from these public sources. The pay figures are theirs, copied as published, last read 2026-10-25.

Requirements differ by country and change over time; check with the body that registers the profession where you will work. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.

Career Paths

55 careers, side by side

Each with what it asks, how people get in, what it pays and the quizzes that fit it.

Explore the careers

Cookie Notice

We use cookies

biofideX uses cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and (with your consent) measure how the platform is used. Change your choices any time from the Cookie Policy.