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Rehabilitation counselor: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $35,060lowest 10% earn less
- $38,77025th percentile
- $46,850median
- $59,26075th percentile
- $77,170top 10% earn more
Rehabilitation counselors had a median pay of $46,850 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035[2].
How much do rehabilitation counselors make?
In May 2025, the median wage for rehabilitation counselors was $46,850 a year, or $22.52 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) wage was $51,820 a year, or $24.91 an hour[7].
The median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4]. So the median for this job sat below that figure.
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th[3][8] | $35,060 | $16.85 |
| 25th[3][8] | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Median[1] | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| 75th[3][8] | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| 90th[3][8] | $77,170 | $37.10 |
A percentile is a boundary. For example, the lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $35,060[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
These figures cover wage and salary workers, full time and part time. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits[10].
Pay by state and city
Wyoming had the highest median annual wage at $67,640, followed by North Dakota at $63,050 and Alaska at $61,590[11]. Wyoming had only 70 jobs, so the figure rests on a small number of workers[11]. Arkansas had the lowest listed median at $35,210[11].
California had the most jobs, at 13,690[12]. Massachusetts (5,760), Washington (5,440), Illinois (4,140) and Pennsylvania (4,130) came next[12].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Johnstown, PA had the highest median at $70,450[13]. Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($69,740) and Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT ($64,420) followed[13]. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area had the most jobs, at 4,980, with a median of $43,480[14].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming[11] | $67,640 | 70 |
| North Dakota | $63,050 | 210 |
| Alaska | $61,590 | 130 |
| Kentucky | $58,540 | 790 |
| Washington | $58,050 | 5,440 |
| Connecticut | $56,340 | 2,410 |
| Georgia | $55,000 | 740 |
| Oregon | $54,970 | 1,630 |
| Idaho | $54,550 | 820 |
| Alabama | $54,040 | 540 |
| Maine | $51,150 | 330 |
| Vermont | $50,030 | 310 |
| Texas | $49,990 | 1,840 |
| New Jersey | $49,730 | 1,630 |
| District of Columbia | $49,680 | n/a |
| Illinois | $49,350 | 4,140 |
| South Dakota | $49,350 | 370 |
| Delaware | $48,840 | 340 |
| Hawaii | $48,720 | 150 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,650 | 4,130 |
| Arizona | $48,330 | 1,750 |
| New Mexico | $48,240 | 210 |
| West Virginia | $48,050 | 470 |
| Minnesota | $48,010 | 3,020 |
| Louisiana | $47,990 | 280 |
| New York | $47,960 | 3,810 |
| Colorado | $47,840 | 980 |
| Virginia | $47,530 | 2,890 |
| Massachusetts | $47,320 | 5,760 |
| Nebraska | $47,050 | 480 |
| Rhode Island | $47,020 | 420 |
| Wisconsin | $46,530 | 2,390 |
| Tennessee | $46,060 | 1,590 |
| Florida | $45,990 | 3,110 |
| North Carolina | $45,890 | 3,820 |
| Montana | $45,240 | 330 |
| Missouri | $45,180 | 2,020 |
| Michigan | $44,580 | 3,340 |
| California | $44,480 | 13,690 |
| Indiana | $44,390 | 2,030 |
| Utah | $43,900 | 650 |
| Ohio | $42,620 | 3,690 |
| New Hampshire | $42,600 | 430 |
| Kansas | $41,980 | 1,370 |
| Mississippi | $41,500 | 470 |
| Maryland | $40,860 | 3,300 |
| Nevada | $40,120 | 570 |
| Iowa | $39,630 | 2,170 |
| Oklahoma | $38,260 | 1,570 |
| South Carolina | $35,990 | 980 |
| Arkansas | $35,210 | 600 |
How to become a rehabilitation counselor
BLS lists a master's degree as the typical education for entry. It lists no related work experience and no on-the-job training[6].
- First: earn a degree. A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field is typical, though some jobs need only a bachelor's degree[15].
- Next: expect clinical practice. Master's programs typically include supervised clinical experience, such as an internship[16].
- Then: check licensing. Rules differ by state and by the type of services provided[17]. Counselors who provide counseling services must hold a state counselor license. Those who offer only vocational rehabilitation or job placement help may not need one[17].
Licensure typically requires a master's degree, supervised clinical hours, a state-recognized exam and yearly continuing education[18]. Some employers require or prefer professional certification[19]. Your state licensing board can give the details[20].
Some employers hire people with a bachelor's degree in psychology, health, social sciences or a related field. Workers with only a bachelor's degree usually cannot provide every service that a counselor with a master's degree can[21].
What rehabilitation counselors do
O*NET describes the work as counseling people to improve their independence and employability when they face personal, social or job-related difficulties[22]. Typical tasks include:
- Building rehabilitation plans that fit a client's abilities, education and career goals[23].
- Meeting with clients to talk through options and goals[23].
- Finding barriers to work, such as inaccessible work sites or transportation problems, and planning ways around them[23].
- Reviewing interviews, records and evaluations to judge a client's needs and eligibility[23].
- Keeping case files and tracking client progress[23].
- Building ties with community referral sources such as schools[23].
- Helping with job placement and checking in during training and placement[23].
Workers reported job titles such as Job Coach, Vocational Counselor and Employment Advisor[24].
Where they work
Rehabilitation counselors work in places such as community rehabilitation centers, senior centers and youth guidance groups[25]. In 2025, vocational rehabilitation services was the largest employer, at 34%[26].
Most work full time[27]. Some work more than 40 hours a week[27]. Depending on the employer, they may work evenings, weekends or part time[27].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That is from about 96,900 to 99,000 jobs, a gain of 2,200[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[28].
BLS expects about 8,200 openings a year, on average[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 3.8% of workers leave the labor force and 4.4% move to a different occupation[29].
OEWS counted about 94,740 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[30]. The projection counts include the self-employed, and the OEWS count does not[30][2].
Is it a good fit?
The facts point to a job with a high education bar. A master's degree is the typical entry level, and licensing may add supervised hours and an exam[6][18]. Median pay of $46,850 is below the $50,980 all-occupations median[1][4]. Projected growth of 2.2% is below the 3.5% rate for all occupations[2][28]. The work involves close contact with clients, and BLS lists listening and interpersonal skills among the qualities counselors need[31][32].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a rehabilitation counselor make an hour?
- The median wage was $22.52 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $24.91[1][7].
- What degree do you need to be a rehabilitation counselor?
- A master's degree is the typical entry education, though some jobs accept a bachelor's degree[6][15].
- Do rehabilitation counselors need a license?
- It depends on the state and the services provided. Counselors who give counseling services must hold a state license, while some who provide only vocational services may not[17].
- Is rehabilitation counseling in demand?
- BLS projects 2.2% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 8,200 openings a year[2][28][5].
- Which state pays rehabilitation counselors the most?
- Wyoming had the highest median annual wage at $67,640, based on 70 jobs[11].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Rehabilitation Counselors in the US was $46,850 per year and $22.52 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Rehabilitation Counselors is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 96,900 to 99,000 jobs (a change of +2,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Rehabilitation Counselors: 10th percentile $35,060, 25th percentile $38,770, 75th percentile $59,260, 90th percentile $77,170. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 8,200 openings for Rehabilitation Counselors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Rehabilitation Counselors: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Rehabilitation Counselors was $51,820 per year and $24.91 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Rehabilitation Counselors: 10th percentile $16.85, 25th percentile $18.64, 75th percentile $28.49, 90th percentile $37.10. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Rehabilitation Counselors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Rehabilitation Counselors jobs: California 13,690; Massachusetts 5,760; Washington 5,440; Illinois 4,140; Pennsylvania 4,130. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Rehabilitation Counselors (areas with at least 100 jobs): Johnstown, PA $70,450; Trenton-Princeton, NJ $69,740; Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $64,420; Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $63,570; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $61,290; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $60,450; Bend, OR $60,170; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $58,580. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Rehabilitation Counselors jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,980 (median $43,480); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 3,430 (median $47,440); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 2,940 (median $48,290); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 2,820 (median $58,580); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,800 (median $50,000); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,440 (median $49,350). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Rehabilitation Counselors. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Rehabilitation Counselors. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 21-1015.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Classification Counselor, CRC (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor), Employment Advisor, Job Coach, Rehabilitation Specialist, Vocational Counselor, Vocational Placement Specialist, Vocational Services Specialist. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of rehabilitation counselors in 2025: Vocational rehabilitation services 34%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Rehabilitation Counselors: 3.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 94,740 people were employed as Rehabilitation Counselors in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.