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Rehabilitation Counselors

Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $46,850/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$35,060$77,170

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +1.4% projected growth, 20242034 — about as fast as average.

About 10,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
SpeakingSocial PerceptivenessActive ListeningService OrientationMonitoringReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingCoordinationJudgment and Decision Making
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceTherapy and CounselingPsychologyEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsSociology and Anthropology
Core tasks

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.

Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.

Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.

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.

Monitor and record clients' progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.

Participate in job development and placement programs, contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating the success of placements.

Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients' abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.

Collaborate with clients' families to implement rehabilitation plans, such as behavioral, residential, social, or employment goals.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Rehabilitation Counselors?

The median pay for Rehabilitation Counselors is $46,850 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Rehabilitation Counselors?

Employment for Rehabilitation Counselors is projected to change +1.4% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Rehabilitation Counselors?

Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Rehabilitation Counselors?

About 10,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.