Rehabilitation Counselors
Overview
Introduction
Rehabilitation counselors provide counseling and guidance services to people with disabilities to help them resolve life challenges and to train for and locate work that is suitable to their physical and mental abilities, interests, and aptitudes. There are approximately 87,600 rehabilitation counselors working in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that median annual earnings of rehabilitation counselors were $63,780 in May 2024. Salaries ranged from less than $42,610 to more than $111,610. Fifty percent of rehabilitation counselors earned between $48,600 and $85,020.
Rehabilitation counselors employed by the federal government generally start at the GS-9 or GS-11 level. In 2025, basic GS-9 sala...
Work Environment
Rehabilitation counselors work approximately 40 hours each week and do not usually have to work during evenings or weekends. They work both in the office and in the field. Depending on the type of training required, lab space and workout or therapy rooms may be available. Rehabilitation counselors must usually keep detailed accounts of their progress with clients and write reports. They may spe...
Outlook
The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 increased the demand for rehabilitation counselors. As more local, state, and federal programs are initiated that are designed to assist people with disabilities and as private institutions and companies seek to comply with this new legislation, there will continue to be demand for counselors. Budget pressures may serve to limit the num...