Rehabilitation Counselors
Rehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities, illnesses, or injuries develop skills and confidence to work and live independently. They work in hospitals, mental health clinics, vocational rehabilitation agencies, and care facilities, where they assess clients' abilities, create treatment plans, and coordinate services to address physical, emotional, and employment barriers.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against rehabilitation counselors and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
Rehabilitation counselors meet with clients to understand their challenges and goals, then develop personalized plans addressing medical, psychological, and vocational needs. They coordinate with doctors, employers, and social services; document progress; attend team meetings; and follow up on job placements or training programs. Caseloads typically involve 20-40 active clients requiring ongoing monitoring and adjustment of services.
Who this work suits
Holland code SEI. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely do well in this work if you're driven to solve problems and build organizations that help others (Enterprising) while genuinely caring about people's wellbeing and growth (Social). You're comfortable with complexity, communication, and advocating for clients within larger systems.
What it takes
Preparation: Extensive preparation (graduate degree and/or many years of experience).
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Openings right now
- Supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor · Veterans Benefits Administration · Buffalo, New York · $111301–$144694
- Supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor · Veterans Benefits Administration · Sacramento, California · $117984–$153382
- Supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor · Veterans Benefits Administration · Multiple Locations · $106437–$144694
- Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor- Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program · Veterans Health Administration · White City, Oregon · $61722–$97087
- Supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (AVREO) · Veterans Benefits Administration · North Little Rock, Arkansas · $106437–$138370
- Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor- Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program · Veterans Health Administration · White City, Oregon · $89508–$116362
- Supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (AVREO) · Veterans Benefits Administration · Saint Paul, Minnesota · $116038–$150852
- Supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor · Veterans Benefits Administration · New York, New York · $125431–$163062
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $45,080 | $67,640 | $67,640 | 70 |
| North Dakota | $60,640 | $63,050 | $70,690 | 210 |
| Alaska | $47,820 | $61,590 | $90,240 | 130 |
| Kentucky | $40,050 | $58,540 | $70,380 | 790 |
| Washington | $48,910 | $58,050 | $66,560 | 5,440 |
| Connecticut | $44,290 | $56,340 | $79,380 | 2,410 |
| Georgia | $45,010 | $55,000 | $62,980 | 740 |
| Oregon | $45,990 | $54,970 | $67,170 | 1,630 |
| Idaho | $44,260 | $54,550 | $69,120 | 820 |
| Alabama | $41,260 | $54,040 | $72,490 | 540 |
| Maine | $38,550 | $51,150 | $62,580 | 330 |
| Vermont | $42,960 | $50,030 | $63,560 | 310 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) — Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
- Certified Career Counselor (CCC) — National Career Development Association
- Certified Rehabilitation Leader (CRL) — Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
- Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) — National Board for Certified Counselors
- National Certified Counselor (NCC) — National Board for Certified Counselors
- Certified Sexuality Counselor (CSC) — American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against rehabilitation counselors and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 21-1015.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.