What Rehabilitation Counselors do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Rehabilitation Counselors this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Monitor and record clients' progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met"; "Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed"; "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"; "Arrange for physical, mental, academic, vocational, and other evaluations to obtain information for assessing clients' needs and developing rehabilitation plans"; "Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients' abilities, needs, and eligibility for services".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is master's degree.
Job outlook for Rehabilitation Counselors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 96,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 99,000 in 2035, an increase of 2,100 jobs (+2.2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 8,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $46,850, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Rehabilitation Counselors earn the most
Published data currently covers California, where the employment-weighted average of local median wages is $44,659. More states are added as pages are published.
Occupations related to Rehabilitation Counselors
Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (21-1000) include Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists, Healthcare Social Workers, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers and Child, Family, and School Social Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Rehabilitation Counselors
How much do Rehabilitation Counselors earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $46,850.
Is Rehabilitation Counselors a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 8,200 openings a year.
What education do Rehabilitation Counselors need?
The typical entry-level education is master's degree, according to BLS.