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Summary

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Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXu7dv-Suo8.
Quick Facts: Rehabilitation Counselors
2023 Median Pay $44,040 per year
$21.17 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2023 87,600
Job Outlook, 2023-33 2% (Slower than average)
Employment Change, 2023-33 1,600

What Rehabilitation Counselors Do

Rehabilitation counselors work with clients to overcome or manage the personal, social, or psychological effects of disabilities on employment or independent living.

Work Environment

Rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings. Most work full time.

How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor

Rehabilitation counselors typically need a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field, although a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some jobs. Some positions require a license or certification.

Pay

The median annual wage for rehabilitation counselors was $44,040 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow 2 percent from 2023 to 2033, slower than the average for all occupations.

Despite limited employment growth, about 8,000 openings for rehabilitation counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for rehabilitation counselors.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of rehabilitation counselors with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about rehabilitation counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Rehabilitation Counselors Do About this section

Rehabilitation counselors
Rehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities develop strategies to live with their disability and transition to employment.

Rehabilitation counselors work with clients to overcome or manage the personal, social, or psychological effects of disabilities on employment or independent living.

Duties

Rehabilitation counselors typically do the following:

  • Provide individual and group counseling to help clients with a variety of issues
  • Evaluate clients’ abilities, interests, experiences, skills, health, and education
  • Develop a rehabilitation plan for clients, and, if necessary, consult with doctors, therapists, or other healthcare workers
  • Refer clients to services, such as medical care or career training
  • Help employers and community members understand the needs and abilities of people with disabilities, as well as related laws and resources
  • Help clients develop their skills and use their strengths to adjust to functional or other limitations
  • Locate resources, such as wheelchairs or computer programs, that help clients live and work more independently
  • Maintain client records and monitor clients’ progress, adjusting the rehabilitation plan as necessary
  • Advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to live in a community and work in the job of their choice

Rehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities at various stages in their lives. For example, some work with students to develop strategies for transitioning from school to work. Others help veterans to cope with the mental or physical effects of their military service. Still others help people adapt to disabilities developed later in life from illness or injury.

Some rehabilitation counselors deal specifically with employment issues. These counselors, sometimes called vocational rehabilitation counselors, typically work with older students and adults.

Work Environment About this section

Rehabilitation counselors
Rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings, such as community rehabilitation centers, senior citizen centers, and youth guidance organizations.

Rehabilitation counselors held about 87,600 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of rehabilitation counselors were as follows:

Community food and housing, emergency and other relief services, and vocational rehabilitation services 34%
State government, excluding education and hospitals 17
Nursing and residential care facilities 14
Individual and family services 12

Rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings, such as community rehabilitation centers, senior citizen centers, and youth guidance organizations.

Work Schedules

Most rehabilitation counselors work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Depending on where they are employed, rehabilitation counselors may work evenings, weekends, or part time.

How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor About this section

Rehabilitation counselors
Rehabilitation counselors may need to complete a period of supervised clinical experience as part of a master’s degree.

Rehabilitation counselors typically need a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field, although for some jobs a bachelor’s degree is sufficient. Some positions require a license or certification.

Education

Many employers require or prefer that rehabilitation counselors have a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field. Master’s degree programs teach students to evaluate clients’ needs, formulate and implement job placement strategies, and understand the medical and psychological aspects of disabilities. These programs typically include a period of supervised clinical experience, such as an internship.

Some employers hire workers with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, health, social sciences, or another field related to rehabilitation. However, these workers typically cannot offer the full range of services that a rehabilitation counselor with a master’s degree can provide.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Licensing requirements for rehabilitation counselors differ by state and by type of services provided. Rehabilitation counselors who provide counseling services to clients must attain a counselor license through their state licensing board. Rehabilitation counselors who provide other services, however, may be exempt from state licensing requirements. For example, rehabilitation counselors who provide only vocational rehabilitation services or job placement assistance may not need a license.

Licensure typically requires a master’s degree and a specified number of hours of supervised clinical experience. In addition, counselors must pass a state-recognized exam and complete continuing education every year.

Contact your state licensing board for more information.

Some employers require or prefer that rehabilitation counselors have professional certification, which can help to demonstrate competency in the field. For example, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification offers the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification for applicants who meet advanced education, work experience, and clinical supervision requirements and pass a test.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Rehabilitation counselors need to be able to communicate effectively with clients.

Compassion. Rehabilitation counselors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations. They must be able to empathize with their clients.

Critical-thinking skills. Rehabilitation counselors must be able to develop a treatment plan to help clients reach their goals by considering each client’s abilities and interests.

Interpersonal skills. Rehabilitation counselors work directly with clients, families, employers, or other professionals. They must be able to develop and maintain good working relationships.

Listening skills. Rehabilitation counselors need to give their full attention in sessions in order to understand clients’ problems, concerns, and values.

Patience. Rehabilitation counselors must have patience to help clients learn new skills and strategies to address their disabilities.

Pay About this section

Rehabilitation Counselors

Median annual wages, May 2023

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists

$51,970

Total, all occupations

$48,060

Rehabilitation counselors

$44,040

 

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

The median annual wage for rehabilitation counselors was $44,040 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,390, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $73,710.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for rehabilitation counselors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

State government, excluding education and hospitals $59,360
Individual and family services 42,500
Community food and housing, emergency and other relief services, and vocational rehabilitation services 39,220
Nursing and residential care facilities 38,350

Most rehabilitation counselors work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Depending on where they are employed, rehabilitation counselors may work evenings, weekends, or part time.

Job Outlook About this section

Rehabilitation Counselors

Percent change in employment, projected 2023-33

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists

9%

Total, all occupations

4%

Rehabilitation counselors

2%

 

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow 2 percent from 2023 to 2033, slower than the average for all occupations.

Despite limited employment growth, about 8,000 openings for rehabilitation counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Demand for rehabilitation counselors is expected to grow with the increase in the older population and with the continued rehabilitation needs of other groups, such as veterans and people with disabilities.

Despite federal guidelines mandating that states provide vocational rehabilitation services, budget constraints may limit job opportunities for rehabilitation counselors.

Employment projections data for rehabilitation counselors, 2023-33
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2023 Projected Employment, 2033 Change, 2023-33 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Rehabilitation counselors

 21-1015 87,600 89,200 2 1,600 Get data

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of rehabilitation counselors.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2023 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists Marriage and Family Therapists

Marriage and family therapists diagnose and treat cognitive, behavioral, or similar disorders in the context of couples and other relationships.

 Master's degree $58,510
Occupational therapists Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities to help them with vocational, daily living, and other skills that promote independence.

 Master's degree $96,370
Occupational therapy assistants and aides Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides

Occupational therapy assistants and aides help occupational therapists provide treatments and procedures to clients, or they do routine tasks such as preparing treatment rooms.

 See How to Become One $65,450
Psychologists Psychologists

Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments.

 See How to Become One $92,740
School and Career Counselors School and Career Counselors and Advisors

School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment.

 Master's degree $61,710
Social and human service assistants Social and Human Service Assistants

Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.

 High school diploma or equivalent $41,410
Special education teachers Special Education Teachers

Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.

 Bachelor's degree $65,910
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression.

 Master's degree $53,710
Social workers Social Workers

Social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.

 See How to Become One $58,380
Social and community service managers Social and Community Service Managers

Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.

 Bachelor's degree $77,030

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about counseling and information about counseling specialties, visit

American Counseling Association (ACA)

American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA)

For more information about accredited degree programs in rehabilitation counseling, visit

Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACRE)

For more information about the Certified Rehabilitation Counselors certification, visit

Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)

O*NET

Rehabilitation Counselors

Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Rehabilitation Counselors,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/rehabilitation-counselors.htm (visited December 04, 2024).

Last Modified Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024

What They Do

The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.

Work Environment

The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.

How to Become One

The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.

Pay

The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.

State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.

Number of Jobs, 2023

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2023, which is the base year of the 2023-33 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2023-33

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033. The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.

Employment Change, 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Employment Change, projected 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.