Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Rehabilitation counselors typically need a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field, although a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some jobs. Some positions require a license or certification. PayThe median annual wage for rehabilitation counselors was $46,850 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for rehabilitation counselors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of rehabilitation counselors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about rehabilitation counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for rehabilitation counselors was $46,850 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for rehabilitation counselors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of rehabilitation counselors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about rehabilitation counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for rehabilitation counselors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of rehabilitation counselors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about rehabilitation counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Rehabilitation counselors work with clients to overcome or manage the personal, social, or psychological effects of disabilities on employment or independent living.
Work Environment
Rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings. Most work full time.
How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors typically need a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field, although a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some jobs. Some positions require a license or certification.
Pay
The median annual wage for rehabilitation counselors was $46,850 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for rehabilitation counselors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of rehabilitation counselors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about rehabilitation counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings. Most work full time.
How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors typically need a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field, although a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some jobs. Some positions require a license or certification.
Pay
The median annual wage for rehabilitation counselors was $46,850 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for rehabilitation counselors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of rehabilitation counselors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about rehabilitation counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for rehabilitation counselors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of rehabilitation counselors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about rehabilitation counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about rehabilitation counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.