What Does it Take to Be a Rehabilitation Counselor?

Rehabilitation Counselor Job Description 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

• Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients’ aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community referral sources, such as schools or community groups.
• Manage budgets and direct case service allocations, authorizing expenditures and payments.
• Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients’ abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
• Monitor and record clients’ progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
• Confer with physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, and other professionals to develop and implement client rehabilitation programs.

Rehabilitation Counselor Skills

These are the skills Rehabilitation Counselors say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

Other Rehabilitation Counselor Job Titles

• Work Counselor
• Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant
• Senior Case Manager
• Residence Counselor
• Program Specialist

Is There Job Demand for Rehabilitation Counselors?

There were about 119,300 jobs for Rehabilitation Counselor in 2016 (in the United States). 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 14,500 job openings in this field each year.

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.

Do Rehabilitation Counselors Make A Lot Of Money?

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.

How much do Rehabilitation Counselors make in each U.S. state?

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 & Technology do Rehabilitation Counselors Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Rehabilitation Counselors may use on a daily basis:

• 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

How do I Become a Rehabilitation Counselor?

Individuals working as a Rehabilitation Counselor have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Rehabilitation Counselors Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

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:

• Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Barbara E. Carver via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.