Rehabilitation Counselors
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.
Also called: Employment Advisor · Employment Services Case Manager · Employment Specialist · Human Services Care Specialist · Job Coach · Rehabilitation Counselor
Median pay (national)
$46,110
$34,480–$77,200 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
88,930
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+1.4%
~10,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
Master's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for rehabilitation counselors shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $77,200 versus $34,480 at the bottom 10% — 2.2x. The median of $46,110 leaves roughly 67% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +1.4% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 10,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, Alaska pays the most for this role (median $82,400, +79% vs the national median), while Arkansas sits lowest at $29,330 — a 181% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Science
- Mathematics
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Arrange for on-site job coaching or assistive devices, such as specially equipped wheelchairs, to help clients adapt to work or school environments.
- Confer with physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, and other professionals to develop and implement client rehabilitation programs.
- 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.
- 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.
- Develop and maintain relationships with community referral sources, such as schools or community groups.
- Maintain close contact with clients during job training and placements to resolve problems and evaluate placement adequacy.
- Collaborate with community agencies to establish facilities and programs for persons with disabilities.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Office software
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Budgeting software
- Chart Links
- Client information database software
- Data input software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Encryption software
- Fanatic Software Informant
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Microsoft ActiveSync
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Microsoft Mobile Explorer MME
- Microsoft Office Mobile
- Microsoft Office Outlook
- Netscape Navigator
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Sociology and Anthropology