### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Rehabilitation Counselors Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			rehabilitation counselors imageRehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, and emotional disabilities live independently.							
						Quick Facts:     Rehabilitation Counselors2023     Median Pay
            						$44,040     per year
										$21.17     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Master's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    84,800Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    2% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    1,600What Rehabilitation Counselors Do
                                                
                        
                        
Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings, such as community rehabilitation centers, senior citizen centers, and youth guidance organizations.
            
                                                How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor
                                                
                        
Rehabilitation counselors typically need a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field. Some positions require certification or a license.
            
                        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 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 6,700 openings for rehabilitation counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many 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 
            

			Rehabilitation counselorsRehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities develop strategies to live with their disability and transition to employment.			
Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently. They 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 adjust to their disability
Evaluate clients’ abilities, interests, experiences, skills, health, and education
Develop a treatment plan for clients, in consultation with other professionals, such as doctors, therapists, and psychologists
Arrange for clients to obtain services, such as medical care or career training
Help employers understand the needs and abilities of people with disabilities, as well as laws and resources that affect people with disabilities
Help clients develop their strengths and adjust to their 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 or treatment plan as necessary
Advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to live in a community and work in the job of their choiceRehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities at various stages in their lives. Some work with students, to develop strategies to live with their disability and transition from school to work. Others help veterans cope with the mental or physical effects of their military service. Still others help elderly people adapt to disabilities developed later in life from illness or injury. Some may provide expert testimony or assessments during personal-injury or workers’ compensation cases.
Some rehabilitation counselors deal specifically with employment issues. These counselors, sometimes called ***vocational rehabilitation counselors***, typically work with older students and adults.
 Work Environment
			Rehabilitation counselorsRehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings, such as community rehabilitation centers, senior citizen centers, and youth guidance organizations.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Rehabilitation counselors held about 84,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of rehabilitation counselors were as follows:
        Community and vocational rehabilitation services
                34%State government, excluding education and hospitals
                17Nursing and residential care facilities
                14Individual and family services
                14Self-employed workers
                1Rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings, such as community rehabilitation centers, senior citizen centers, and youth guidance organizations.
Work Schedules
Depending on where they work, some rehabilitation counselors may work evenings or weekends.
 How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor

			Rehabilitation counselorsRehabilitation 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. Some positions require certification or a license.
Education
Most employers require 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.
Although some employers hire workers with a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation and disability studies, these workers typically cannot offer the full range of services that a rehabilitation counselor with a master’s degree can provide. Students in bachelor’s degree programs learn about issues faced by people with disabilities and about the process of providing rehabilitation services. Some universities offer dual-degree programs in rehabilitation counseling, in which students can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in 5 years.
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 and patients 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 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. In addition, counselors must pass a state-recognized exam. To maintain their license, counselors must complete annual continuing education credits.
Applicants should contact their state licensing board for information on which services or counseling positions require licensure. Contact information for these state licensing boards can be found through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
Some employers prefer or require rehabilitation counselors to be certified. The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification offers the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification. Applicants must meet advanced education, work experience, and clinical supervision requirements and pass a test. Certification must be renewed every 5 years. Counselors must complete continuing education requirements or pass a reexamination to renew their certification.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Rehabilitation counselors need to be able to communicate effectively with clients. They must express ideas and information in a way that is easy to understand.
***Compassion.*** Rehabilitation counselors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations. They must be compassionate and 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 must be able to work with different types of people. They spend most of their time working directly with clients, families, employers, or other professionals. They must be able to develop and maintain good working relationships.
***Listening skills.*** Good listening skills are essential for rehabilitation counselors. They 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

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Rehabilitation CounselorsMedian annual wages, May 2023Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists$51,970  Total, all occupations$48,060  Rehabilitation counselors$44,040Note: 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
                $59,360Individual and family services
                42,500Community and vocational rehabilitation services
                39,220Nursing and residential care facilities
                38,350Depending on where they work, some rehabilitation counselors may work evenings or weekends.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Rehabilitation CounselorsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists9%  Total, all occupations3%  Rehabilitation counselors2%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 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 6,700 openings for rehabilitation counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many 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 elderly population and with the continued rehabilitation needs of other groups, such as veterans and people with disabilities.
Older adults are more likely than other age groups to become disabled or injured. Rehabilitation counselors will be needed to help the elderly learn to adapt to any new limitations and learn strategies to live independently.
In addition, there will be a continued need for rehabilitation counselors to work with veterans who were disabled during their military service. They will also be needed to work with other groups, such as people who have learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or substance abuse problems.
			

                        Employment projections data for     rehabilitation counselors, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Rehabilitation counselors**
			21-1015
			84,800
			86,400
			2
			1,600
			Get data
 State & Area Data **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 OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Rehabilitation counselors **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.com. 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 This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of rehabilitation counselors. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**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 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 help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.
            See How to Become One
            $65,450**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 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 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 work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.
            Bachelor's degree
            $65,910**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.
            Bachelor's degree
            $53,710**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 coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.
            Bachelor's degree
            $77,030
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about counseling and information about counseling specialties, visit
American Counseling Association
American Rehabilitation Counseling Association
For more information about accredited degree programs in rehabilitation counseling, visit
Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs
For more information about the Certified Rehabilitation Counselors certification and state licensing boards, visit
Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    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 *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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