Career counselor vs vocational rehabilitation counselor

The differences between career counselors and vocational rehabilitation counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a vocational rehabilitation counselor has an average salary of $45,871, which is higher than the $44,870 average annual salary of a career counselor.

The top three skills for a career counselor include career development, career services and professional development. The most important skills for a vocational rehabilitation counselor are rehabilitation, substance abuse, and transferable.

Career counselor vs vocational rehabilitation counselor overview

	Career Counselor	Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Yearly salary	$44,870	$45,871
Hourly rate	$21.57	$22.05
Growth rate	10%	11%
Number of jobs	42,035	78,174
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age	42	45
Years of experience	-	12

What does a career counselor do?

A career counselor specializes in assisting clients in their career-related decisions. Utilizing their expertise in career development, they typically meet with clients to discuss their short-term and long-term goals, identify their needs and concerns, conduct different aptitude tests and examinations, organize skills assessment procedures, and provide strategies to improve or enhance their skills and abilities. Aside from providing consultations, a career counselor may also assist clients in processing and establishing their resumes, supporting them every step of the way.

What does a vocational rehabilitation counselor do?

The primary role of a vocational rehabilitation counselor is to help disabled people to live fully and independently. Vocational rehabilitation counselors assist people with disabilities in securing employment. They provide health care to those who are coping with mental illness, substance abuse issues, psychological disorders, or physical disabilities. Knowledge of patient care, health management, rehabilitation program, and clinical psychology is a must for this job.

Career counselor vs vocational rehabilitation counselor salary

Career counselors and vocational rehabilitation counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Career Counselor	Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Average salary	$44,870	$45,871
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $60,000	Between $33,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	Williston, ND
Highest paying state	New Jersey	New Jersey
Best paying company	Columbia University in the City of New York	New York State Restaurant Association
Best paying industry	Technology	Non Profits

Differences between career counselor and vocational rehabilitation counselor education

There are a few differences between a career counselor and a vocational rehabilitation counselor in terms of educational background:

	Career Counselor	Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	California State University - Long Beach

Career counselor vs vocational rehabilitation counselor demographics

Here are the differences between career counselors' and vocational rehabilitation counselors' demographics:

	Career Counselor	Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Average age	42	45
Gender ratio	Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6%	Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 2.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage	11%	21%

Differences between career counselor and vocational rehabilitation counselor duties and responsibilities

Career counselor example responsibilities.

Monitor and manage IEP forms and certifications to adhere to program requirements.
Interpret PSAT results with parents and students through education workshop.
Coordinate transitioning veterans with community hiring facilities in the areas of their desire location.
Provide information to individuals on matters pertaining to social security, veterans administration, and uniform service health benefits program.
Provide testing, including TABE, Proveit and Oscar.
Develop new intake orientation and TABE testing process for prospective participants.

Vocational rehabilitation counselor example responsibilities.

Collaborate with institutions of higher learning and local organizations to help assign veterans achieve independent living and academic success.
Conduct vocational assessments, transferable skills analyses, labor market surveys; write r sum s and relate correspondence.
Conduct diagnosis interview, eligibility determination, review assessments, plan and implement individual plan for employment (IPE).
Determine eligibility for services and develop individualized rehabilitation programs.
Provide independent professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with disabilities.
Apply creative and professional conflict resolution strategies to ensure RTW plan success.

Career counselor vs vocational rehabilitation counselor skills

Common career counselor skills

Career Development, 12%
Career Services, 7%
Professional Development, 6%
Career Planning, 5%
Mental Health, 5%
Career Exploration, 5%

Common vocational rehabilitation counselor skills

Rehabilitation, 20%
Substance Abuse, 12%
Transferable, 8%
Plan Development, 7%
Vocational Assessments, 6%
Social Work, 6%

Career Counselor vs. similar jobs

Career Counselor related careers

Career Counselor related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Community and Social Services Industry
Career Counselor
Career Counselor vs Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse community and social services jobs