Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.
Rehabilitation Counselors
SOC: 21-1015 O*NET: 21-1015.00
Median Salary
$46,850
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
8.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.
What does a Rehabilitation Counselors do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,060
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,770
25th percentile
Median
$46,850
50th percentile
Experienced
$59,260
75th percentile
Top Earners
$77,170
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,060
25th
$38,770
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,850
Mean: $51,820
75th
$59,260
90th
$77,170
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $42,110 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,770 and $59,260
- •Salary spread is 43.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 94,740 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:96,900
Top Industries
Social Assistance53%
Vocational Rehabilitation Services35.3%
Individual and Family Services16.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.2%
Annual Openings:8,200
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)96,900
Current
2035 (Projected)99,000
+2.2%
+2,200
Employment Change
+2.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Rehabilitation Counselors professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
13,690 jobs$44,4801.23x
Massachusetts
5,760 jobs$47,3202.60x
Washington
5,440 jobs$58,0502.51x
Illinois
4,140 jobs$49,3501.11x
Pennsylvania
4,130 jobs$48,6501.12x
North Carolina
3,820 jobs$45,8901.27x
New York
3,810 jobs$47,9600.65x
Ohio
3,690 jobs$42,6201.09x
Michigan
3,340 jobs$44,5801.24x
Maryland
3,300 jobs$40,8601.96x
Florida
3,110 jobs$45,9900.51x
Minnesota
3,020 jobs$48,0101.68x
Virginia
2,890 jobs$47,5301.16x
Connecticut
2,410 jobs$56,3402.33x
Wisconsin
2,390 jobs$46,5301.34x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Speech Clarity
100%
#4
Service Orientation
94%
#5
Therapy and Counseling
94%
#6
Oral Expression
92%
#7
Speaking
86%
#8
Psychology
86%
#9
Oral Comprehension
82%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
80%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Speech Clarity
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
advanced4.7
94%
Therapy and Counseling
advanced4.7
94%
Oral Expression
advanced4.6
92%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Psychology
intermediate4.3
86%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Speech Clarity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Service Orientation
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Therapy and Counseling
advancedImportance94%
knowledge
4.7/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Psychology
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Education and Training
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Registered Nurses100%
5 shared skills
New Accounts Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers82%
5 shared skills
Freight Forwarders82%
5 shared skills
Child, Family, and School Social Workers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Administrative
- →Computers and Electronics
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Speaking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Customer and Personal Service
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Rehabilitation Counselors
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (9)Analysis & Evaluation (2)General Responsibilities (1)Communication & Coordination (1)Management & Supervision (2)
1
Monitor and record clients' progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Prepare and maintain records and case files, including documentation, such as clients' personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of client contacts, or relevant correspondence.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Arrange for physical, mental, academic, vocational, and other evaluations to obtain information for assessing clients' needs and developing rehabilitation plans.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients' abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation88% perform92%
6
Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Maintain close contact with clients during job training and placements to resolve problems and evaluate placement adequacy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Develop and maintain relationships with community referral sources, such as schools or community groups.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Locate barriers to client employment, such as inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, or transportation problems, and work with clients to develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Arrange for on-site job coaching or assistive devices, such as specially equipped wheelchairs, to help clients adapt to work or school environments.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Rehabilitation Counselors
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Rehabilitation Counselors professionals typically have a SEI Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
EEnterprising
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Rehabilitation Counselors
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.74
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.68
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.56
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.49
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.48
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.41
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Dependability
4.6
Initiative
4.5
Persistence
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Independence
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Rehabilitation Counselors.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Rehabilitation Counselors
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
1.0k program completions/year
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
924 program completions/year
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA
803 program completions/year
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, CA
631 program completions/year
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
622 program completions/year
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
587 program completions/year
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA
508 program completions/year
Fresno City College
Fresno, CA
499 program completions/year
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM
449 program completions/year
Connecticut State Community College
New Britain, CT
439 program completions/year
Merced College
Merced, CA
432 program completions/year
El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA
424 program completions/year