Rehabilitation Counselors

What They 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 One: Rehabilitation counselors typically need a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field. Some positions require certification or a license.

Salary: The median annual wage for rehabilitation counselors was $46,850 in May 2025.

Job Outlook: Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.

Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of rehabilitation counselors with similar occupations.

Following is everything you need to know about a career as a rehabilitation counselor with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:

Top 3 Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs

• Community Manager - Synergis - Columbus,OH

  TITLE: Community and Social Manager LOCATION: New York, NY; Hybrid ANTICIPATED DURATION: W2 contract role going until 04/25/2027 with possible extension PAY:...

• Faith-Centered Online Educator - The Transformation Network LLC - Columbus,OH

  Faith-Centered Online Educator (Independent Contractor | United States) The Transformation Network LLC Remote | Part-time | $35–52 per...

• Vocational Specialist - SOUTHEAST HEALTHCARE - Columbus,OH

  We are seeking a Vocational Specialist to join our team and help individuals with disabilities, mental health, substance use disorders and/or other barriers to employment successfully reenter the workforce. The Vocational Specialist will assess...

See all Rehabilitation Counselor jobs

What Rehabilitation Counselors Do[About this section] [To Top]

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 of Rehabilitation Counselors

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 choice

Rehabilitation 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 for Rehabilitation Counselors[About this section] [To Top]

Rehabilitation counselors hold about 93,200 jobs. The largest employers of rehabilitation counselors are as follows:

Community and vocational rehabilitation services	32%
Individual and family services	17%
State government, excluding education and hospitals	16%
Nursing and residential care facilities	14%
Self-employed workers	1%

Rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings, such as community rehabilitation centers, senior citizen centers, and youth guidance organizations.

Rehabilitation Counselor Work Schedules

Depending on where they work, some rehabilitation counselors may work evenings or weekends.

How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor[About this section] [To Top]

Get the education you need: Find schools for Rehabilitation Counselors near you!

Rehabilitation counselors typically need a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field. Some positions require certification or a license.

Education for Rehabilitation Counselors

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 for Rehabilitation Counselors

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 for Rehabilitation Counselors

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.

Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]

Salary and job outlook data updated October 2026 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2025 wages, 2025-35 employment projections).

The median annual wage for rehabilitation counselors was $46,850 in May 2025. 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 $35,060, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $77,170.

In May 2025, the median annual wages for rehabilitation counselors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

State government, excluding education and hospitals	$66,510
Ambulatory healthcare services	$47,840
Individual and family services	$45,370
Vocational rehabilitation services	$44,920
Nursing and residential care facilities	$42,450

Most rehabilitation counselors work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Depending on where they are employed, rehabilitation counselors may work evenings, weekends, or part time.

Job Outlook for Rehabilitation Counselors[About this section] [To Top]

Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.

Despite limited employment growth, about 8,200 openings for rehabilitation counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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 older population and with the continued rehabilitation needs of other groups, such as veterans and people with disabilities.

Despite federal guidelines mandating that states provide vocational rehabilitation services, budget constraints may limit job opportunities for rehabilitation counselors.

Careers Related to Rehabilitation Counselors[About this section] [To Top]

Marriage and Family Therapists

Marriage and family therapists help people manage and overcome problems with family and other relationships.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.

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. Occupational therapy assistants are directly involved in providing therapy to patients; occupational therapy aides typically perform support activities. Both assistants and aides work under the direction of occupational therapists.

Psychologists

Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors.

School and Career Counselors

School counselors help students develop the academic and social skills needed to succeed in school. Career counselors help people choose careers and follow a path to employment.

Social and Community Service Managers

Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations. They manage workers who provide social services to the public.

Social and Human Service Assistants

Social and human service assistants provide client services, including support for families, in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work. They assist other workers, such as social workers, and they help clients find benefits or community services.

Social Workers

Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues.

Special Education Teachers

Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills, such as literacy and communication techniques, to students with severe disabilities.

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, mental health issues, or other mental or behavioral problems. They provide treatment and support to help clients recover from addiction or modify problem behaviors.

More Rehabilitation Counselor Information[About this section] [To Top]

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