What You Need to Know About Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation Counselor Example 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, 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.
List of Rehabilitation Counselor Job Duties
- Collaborate with community agencies to establish facilities and programs for persons with disabilities.
- Arrange for on-site job coaching or assistive devices, such as specially equipped wheelchairs, to help clients adapt to work or school environments.
- Participate in job development and placement programs, contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating the success of placements.
- Confer with physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, and other professionals to develop and implement client rehabilitation programs.
- Manage budgets and direct case service allocations, authorizing expenditures and payments.
- Collaborate with clients' families to implement rehabilitation plans, such as behavioral, residential, social, or employment goals.
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What a Rehabilitation Counselor Should Know
When polled, Rehabilitation Counselors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Career Navigator
- On-Site Services Specialist
- Job Developer
- Disability Counselor
- Vocational Case Manager
Job Opportunities for Rehabilitation Counselors
In the United States, there were 119,300 jobs for Rehabilitation Counselor in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15,100 new jobs for Rehabilitation Counselor by 2026. The BLS estimates 14,500 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Rehabilitation Counselor are Arizona, Virginia, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Minnesota, Wyoming, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Rehabilitation Counselor Make?
Rehabilitation Counselors make between $22,990 and $63,820 a year.

Rehabilitation Counselors who work in New Jersey, Rhode Island, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Rehabilitation Counselors in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $43,080 |
Alaska | $60,900 |
Arizona | $33,870 |
Arkansas | $35,460 |
California | $37,250 |
Colorado | $52,620 |
Connecticut | $44,540 |
Delaware | $34,820 |
District of Columbia | $49,400 |
Florida | $37,790 |
Georgia | $40,560 |
Hawaii | $43,340 |
Idaho | $41,310 |
Illinois | $40,260 |
Indiana | $40,930 |
Iowa | $36,310 |
Kansas | $32,280 |
Kentucky | $37,200 |
Louisiana | $44,650 |
Maine | $50,860 |
Maryland | $42,060 |
Massachusetts | $45,230 |
Michigan | $40,810 |
Minnesota | $41,100 |
Mississippi | $37,910 |
Missouri | $37,190 |
Montana | $36,880 |
Nebraska | $38,290 |
Nevada | $41,230 |
New Hampshire | $45,870 |
New Jersey | $65,350 |
New Mexico | $38,460 |
New York | $36,040 |
North Carolina | $39,500 |
North Dakota | $47,930 |
Ohio | $39,890 |
Oklahoma | $26,150 |
Oregon | $44,100 |
Pennsylvania | $39,980 |
Rhode Island | $57,430 |
South Carolina | $32,720 |
South Dakota | $41,550 |
Tennessee | $26,080 |
Texas | $44,910 |
Utah | $44,900 |
Vermont | $44,070 |
Virginia | $43,840 |
Washington | $49,940 |
West Virginia | $33,150 |
Wisconsin | $31,510 |
Wyoming | $36,870 |
What Tools do Rehabilitation Counselors Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Rehabilitation Counselors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Scheduling software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Encryption software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Reader
- Netscape Navigator
- Budgeting software
- Voice recognition software
- Test interpretation software
- Chart Links
Becoming a Rehabilitation Counselor
What education or degrees do I need to become a Rehabilitation Counselor?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor?

Where Rehabilitation Counselors Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Rehabilitation Counselors employed by various industries.

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Rehabilitation Counselor might also be interested in the following careers:
- Adult Basic and Secondary Education and Literacy Teachers and Instructors
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
Career changers with experience as a Rehabilitation Counselor sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Barbara E. Carver via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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