Rehab Counselor Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling is necessary to become a licensed counselor. In universities and in colleges, the departments of education and psychology provide education programs in counseling. 48-60 semester hours of study under graduation is required under a master's degree program. This includes supervised clinical experience as well.
Training and Education
A master's degree is often necessary for working in the field. About 73% of rehab counselors have earned a degree. Some college, below a 4-year degree, is sufficient for 18% of workers. Employees with only a high school education represent about 9% of all.
Job Overview
Rehabilitation counselors assist people handle the effects of their social, vocational and personal shortcomings and disabilities. They help people overcome the shortcomings they face due to unavoidable reasons like accidents, birth defects or diseases.
Job Requirements
Voluntary certification is awarded through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification for rehabilitation counselors. Many local and state governments and employers require this certification. In order earn this certification, must have a degree and have completed an internship and passed the written examination. However, the requirements for certification also depend on experience and education.
Requirements vary depending on the state and the work setting.
Rehab counselors must have a basic desire to want to help others. They need to earn the confidence, respect and faith of the people. Rehab counselors should be open to working as part of a team and independently. It is necessary for them to follow the ethics linked with their licenses and their certifications. They need to be able to cope with a variety of problem that they deal with as part of their profession.
Nature of Work
Rehab counselors have to estimate the strengths and weaknesses of individuals who come to them for help. They then give personal and vocational counseling. They also make arrangements for medical care and job placement for their clients. Rehab counselors speak to and interview the family members of the people requiring rehabilitation help. They also interview clients who require rehab care. They work to make a person who has come for rehab capable of living independently.
Rehab counselors work for about forty hours in a week. Those who work with mental health and community agencies often work in the evenings, when dealing with clients who are busy during the day.
Area Job Conditions
Rehab counselors appear most common in Longview (Washington), Lawrence (Massachusetts), and Idaho Falls (Idaho), and least common in Houston (Texas), Gary (Indiana), and Las Vegas (Nevada).
Providence (Rhode Island), Pueblo (Colorado), and Yakima (Washington) offer the highest pay. Cedar Rapids (Iowa), Lawton (Oklahoma), and Idaho Falls (Idaho) offer the lowest salaries.
Part-Time and Self Employment
Government statistics report that 15% of rehab counselors are employed part-time. Workers who work for themselves total about 6%.
Career Videos
Rehab Counselors by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $31,000 | 320 | -17% |
| Dothan | $43,000 | 50 | +23% |
| Huntsville | $35,000 | 50 | -68% |
| Mobile | $38,000 | 120 | -9% |
| Montgomery | $42,000 | 130 | +6% |
| Tuscaloosa | $37,000 | 70 | +8% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $50,000 | 320 | +155% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $36,000 | 950 | -31% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $34,000 | 30 | -81% |
| Fort Smith | 50 | -45% | |
| Hot Springs | $44,000 | 40 | +67% |
| Jonesboro | $37,000 | 50 | +58% |
| Little Rock | $43,000 | 110 | -59% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $43,000 | 280 | +41% |
| Chico | $37,000 | 130 | +165% |
| Fresno | $38,000 | 260 | +6% |
| Los Angeles | $36,000 | 1,710 | -46% |
| Modesto | $29,000 | 100 | -14% |
| Oakland | $48,000 | 640 | -18% |
| Oxnard | $29,000 | 250 | +9% |
| Redding | $30,000 | 120 | +188% |
| Riverside | $34,000 | 880 | -7% |
| Sacramento | $38,000 | 290 | -57% |
| Salinas | $37,000 | 50 | -58% |
| San Diego | $34,000 | 790 | -23% |
| San Francisco | $40,000 | 390 | -50% |
| San Jose | $40,000 | 320 | -54% |
| San Luis Obispo | $30,000 | 70 | +4% |
| Santa Ana | $35,000 | 410 | -64% |
| Santa Barbara | $31,000 | 150 | +19% |
| Santa Cruz | $35,000 | 140 | +124% |
| Santa Rosa | $45,000 | 60 | -54% |
| Stockton | $24,000 | 200 | +26% |
| Vallejo | $47,000 | 120 | +36% |
| Visalia | $34,000 | 170 | +70% |
| Yuba City | $24,000 | 30 | +18% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $30,000 | 240 | +109% |
| Denver | $50,000 | 580 | -41% |
| Fort Collins | $27,000 | 130 | +40% |
| Grand Junction | $32,000 | 40 | +1% |
| Pueblo | $38,000 | 60 | +52% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $43,000 | 580 | +75% |
| Danbury | $42,000 | 200 | +316% |
| Hartford | $40,000 | 870 | +94% |
| New Haven | $40,000 | 730 | +249% |
| Norwich | $44,000 | 170 | +88% |
| Waterbury | $33,000 | 160 | +235% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $35,000 | 90 | +155% |
| Wilmington | $35,000 | 300 | +19% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $33,000 | 2,460 | +29% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $29,000 | 110 | -25% |
| Deltona | $36,000 | 140 | +22% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $33,000 | 320 | -41% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $31,000 | 40 | -26% |
| Gainesville | $31,000 | 70 | -22% |
| Jacksonville | $36,000 | 300 | -36% |
| Lakeland | $30,000 | 90 | -37% |
| Miami | $36,000 | 570 | -26% |
| Ocala | $33,000 | 80 | +27% |
| Orlando | $33,000 | 450 | -44% |
| Palm Bay | $34,000 | 120 | -20% |
| Panama City | $34,000 | 30 | -38% |
| Pensacola | $30,000 | 160 | +44% |
| Port St Lucie | $31,000 | 60 | -32% |
| Sarasota | $37,000 | 90 | -52% |
| Tallahassee | $38,000 | 200 | +65% |
| Tampa | $34,000 | 700 | -22% |
| West Palm Beach | $40,000 | 220 | -45% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $32,000 | 30 | -30% |
| Atlanta | $39,000 | 730 | -60% |
| Augusta | $34,000 | 110 | -29% |
| Rome | $31,000 | 50 | +116% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $41,000 | 140 | -59% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $38,000 | 690 | +245% |
| Idaho Falls | $38,000 | 240 | +655% |
| Lewiston | $37,000 | 90 | +515% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | $36,000 | 160 | +115% |
| Chicago | $40,000 | 1,820 | -39% |
| Peoria | $43,000 | 50 | -61% |
| Rockford | $45,000 | 60 | -43% |
| Springfield | $50,000 | 40 | -49% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gary | $32,000 | 110 | -47% |
| Indianapolis | $35,000 | 460 | -34% |
| South Bend | $28,000 | 40 | -58% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $31,000 | 190 | +84% |
| Davenport | $36,000 | 80 | -43% |
| Des Moines | $30,000 | 560 | +120% |
| Sioux City | $33,000 | 130 | +152% |
| Waterloo | $25,000 | 190 | +208% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | $33,000 | 80 | -64% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $34,000 | 90 | +134% |
| Lexington | $37,000 | 80 | -56% |
| Louisville | $36,000 | 210 | -56% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $39,000 | 140 | -51% |
| Houma | $38,000 | 50 | -27% |
| Lafayette | $36,000 | 80 | -25% |
| Lake Charles | $38,000 | 30 | -53% |
| New Orleans | $29,000 | 330 | -20% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $38,000 | 60 | +40% |
| Lewiston | $44,000 | 50 | +45% |
| Portland | $42,000 | 180 | +18% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $27,000 | 1,170 | +14% |
| Bethesda | $31,000 | 870 | +93% |
| Cumberland | $29,000 | 50 | +105% |
| Salisbury | $29,000 | 80 | +117% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $41,000 | 80 | +11% |
| Boston | $39,000 | 2,000 | +46% |
| Brockton | $41,000 | 50 | -23% |
| Framingham | $36,000 | 80 | -35% |
| Haverhill | $31,000 | 30 | -49% |
| Lawrence | $40,000 | 190 | +357% |
| Leominster | $35,000 | 70 | +107% |
| New Bedford | $44,000 | 60 | +32% |
| Peabody | $50,000 | 140 | +89% |
| Pittsfield | $29,000 | 150 | +608% |
| Springfield | $40,000 | 410 | +79% |
| Taunton | $31,000 | 90 | +196% |
| Worcester | $39,000 | 440 | +129% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $41,000 | 380 | -27% |
| Flint | $53,000 | 110 | +14% |
| Grand Rapids | $45,000 | 120 | -59% |
| Kalamazoo | $55,000 | 40 | -60% |
| Lansing | $48,000 | 150 | 0% |
| Muskegon | $41,000 | 30 | -23% |
| Saginaw | $42,000 | 50 | -15% |
| Warren | $47,000 | 670 | -21% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $46,000 | 190 | +97% |
| Mankato | $49,000 | 110 | +182% |
| Minneapolis | $44,000 | 860 | -39% |
| Rochester | $38,000 | 50 | -33% |
| St Cloud | $56,000 | 60 | -14% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $30,000 | 40 | -49% |
| Jackson | $35,000 | 220 | +13% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $34,000 | 180 | +214% |
| Jefferson City | $36,000 | 150 | +185% |
| Kansas City | $32,000 | 950 | +19% |
| Springfield | $25,000 | 240 | +66% |
| St Joseph | $31,000 | 70 | +100% |
| St Louis | $31,000 | 1,360 | +29% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 60 | -1% | |
| Great Falls | $30,000 | 60 | +147% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $36,000 | 100 | -17% |
| Omaha | $36,000 | 370 | +1% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $39,000 | 50 | -34% |
| Nashua | $34,000 | 60 | -41% |
| Rochester | $36,000 | 60 | +62% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $41,000 | 190 | +76% |
| Camden | $32,000 | 940 | +130% |
| Edison | $37,000 | 920 | +14% |
| Newark | $46,000 | 1,180 | +50% |
| Trenton | $44,000 | 200 | +15% |
| Vineland | $35,000 | 60 | +43% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $36,000 | 150 | -50% |
| Santa Fe | $44,000 | 280 | +544% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $30,000 | 820 | +134% |
| Binghamton | $29,000 | 200 | +142% |
| Buffalo | $33,000 | 720 | +67% |
| Elmira | $29,000 | 80 | +215% |
| Glens Falls | $35,000 | 130 | +261% |
| Kingston | $29,000 | 160 | +279% |
| Nassau | $38,000 | 1,540 | +55% |
| New York | $37,000 | 5,690 | +39% |
| Poughkeepsie | $33,000 | 460 | +144% |
| Rochester | $30,000 | 820 | +108% |
| Syracuse | $31,000 | 380 | +57% |
| Utica | $40,000 | 200 | +116% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $31,000 | 210 | +57% |
| Burlington | $38,000 | 40 | +2% |
| Charlotte | $29,000 | 1,140 | +70% |
| Durham | $39,000 | 200 | -6% |
| Fayetteville | $38,000 | 50 | -47% |
| Goldsboro | $37,000 | 90 | +231% |
| Greensboro | $34,000 | 220 | -20% |
| Greenville | $43,000 | 130 | +172% |
| Hickory | $36,000 | 120 | +9% |
| Raleigh | $35,000 | 380 | -6% |
| Rocky Mount | $55,000 | 40 | -1% |
| Wilmington | $40,000 | 70 | -31% |
| Winston Salem | $32,000 | 260 | +62% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $45,000 | 80 | -11% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $37,000 | 280 | +13% |
| Canton | $38,000 | 100 | -20% |
| Cincinnati | $38,000 | 660 | -17% |
| Cleveland | $36,000 | 580 | -28% |
| Columbus | $42,000 | 910 | +26% |
| Dayton | $41,000 | 220 | -26% |
| Mansfield | $30,000 | 110 | +209% |
| Sandusky | $32,000 | 100 | +336% |
| Springfield | $38,000 | 50 | +53% |
| Toledo | $42,000 | 380 | +68% |
| Youngstown | $34,000 | 300 | +74% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $32,000 | 540 | +20% |
| Tulsa | $27,000 | 520 | +56% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | $38,000 | 90 | -14% |
| Portland | $42,000 | 560 | -30% |
| Salem | $46,000 | 150 | +34% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $38,000 | 200 | -25% |
| Altoona | $50,000 | 50 | +18% |
| Erie | $32,000 | 350 | +268% |
| Harrisburg | $48,000 | 120 | -52% |
| Johnstown | $43,000 | 150 | +285% |
| Lancaster | $46,000 | 310 | +72% |
| Lebanon | $30,000 | 30 | -3% |
| Philadelphia | $33,000 | 2,590 | +72% |
| Pittsburgh | $33,000 | 1,210 | +34% |
| Reading | $41,000 | 110 | -12% |
| Scranton | $43,000 | 250 | +25% |
| Williamsport | $31,000 | 60 | +69% |
| York | $34,000 | 270 | +103% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $44,000 | 460 | +6% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $40,000 | 40 | +2% |
| Columbia | $32,000 | 550 | +103% |
| Greenville | $28,000 | 600 | +160% |
| Spartanburg | $42,000 | 60 | -29% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $34,000 | 60 | +34% |
| Sioux Falls | $38,000 | 100 | -4% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville | $25,000 | 50 | -11% |
| Kingsport | $27,000 | 110 | +23% |
| Memphis | $24,000 | 360 | -25% |
| Nashville | $28,000 | 480 | -17% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | $48,000 | 40 | -49% |
| Austin | $40,000 | 450 | -27% |
| Beaumont | $32,000 | 100 | -17% |
| Brownsville | $36,000 | 30 | -69% |
| Corpus Christi | $45,000 | 100 | -26% |
| Dallas | $44,000 | 420 | -75% |
| El Paso | $44,000 | 100 | -52% |
| Fort Worth | $37,000 | 250 | -63% |
| Houston | $40,000 | 830 | -60% |
| San Antonio | $39,000 | 510 | -26% |
| Texarkana | $36,000 | 30 | -20% |
| Tyler | $40,000 | 50 | -23% |
| Victoria | $25,000 | 40 | +22% |
| Waco | $34,000 | 50 | -31% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $39,000 | 100 | -34% |
| Provo | $45,000 | 110 | -14% |
| Salt Lake City | $49,000 | 170 | -64% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $34,000 | 570 | +594% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $43,000 | 50 | -20% |
| Danville | $49,000 | 30 | +32% |
| Harrisonburg | $51,000 | 70 | +80% |
| Lynchburg | $26,000 | 170 | +136% |
| Richmond | $29,000 | 1,230 | +156% |
| Roanoke | $38,000 | 180 | +54% |
| Virginia Beach | $33,000 | 1,060 | +78% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $48,000 | 140 | +167% |
| Bremerton | $34,000 | 270 | +353% |
| Kennewick | $42,000 | 160 | +119% |
| Longview | $36,000 | 70 | +224% |
| Mount Vernon | $41,000 | 140 | +367% |
| Olympia | $54,000 | 230 | +219% |
| Seattle | $41,000 | 3,030 | +175% |
| Spokane | $39,000 | 950 | +510% |
| Tacoma | $37,000 | 1,360 | +569% |
| Wenatchee | $38,000 | 70 | +170% |
| Yakima | $40,000 | 370 | +516% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $41,000 | 90 | -17% |
| Huntington | $25,000 | 130 | +55% |
| Parkersburg | $18,000 | 80 | +66% |
| Wheeling | $31,000 | 70 | +53% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay | $47,000 | 40 | -68% |
| Janesville | $38,000 | 60 | +35% |
| Madison | $37,000 | 270 | +3% |
| Milwaukee | $36,000 | 470 | -28% |
| Racine | $32,000 | 60 | +13% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $29,000 | 40 | +66% |
| Cheyenne | $30,000 | 40 | +40% |