Community and social service
Rehabilitation counselor
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.
Median pay
$46,850
Growth to 2035
+2%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
8,200
Time to qualify*
2 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Rehabilitation counselor
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Rehabilitation counselor: 24% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
- 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.
- 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.
- Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients' abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
- Monitor and record clients' progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
- 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.
Also called: Classification Counselor · CRC (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor) · Employment Advisor · Job Coach · Rehabilitation Specialist · Vocational Counselor · Vocational Placement Specialist · Vocational Services Specialist
Outlook and AI
Rehabilitation counselors held 96,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 99,000 by 2035 (+2%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Rehabilitation counselor vs. Mental health and substance abuse social workers
- Rehabilitation counselor vs. Healthcare social worker
- Rehabilitation counselor vs. Social worker
- Rehabilitation counselor vs. Occupational therapy aide
- Rehabilitation counselor vs. Psychiatric technician
- Rehabilitation counselor vs. Clinical psychologist
- Rehabilitation counselor vs. Recreational therapist
- Rehabilitation counselor vs. Social and community service managers
- Rehabilitation counselor vs. Occupational therapist