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Job outlook for certified rehabilitation counselors in the United States
Certified rehabilitation counselor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected certified rehabilitation counselor job growth rate is 11% from 2018-2028.
About 9,800 new jobs for certified rehabilitation counselors are projected over the next decade.
Certified rehabilitation counselor salaries have increased 8% for certified rehabilitation counselors in the last 5 years.
There are over 34,559 certified rehabilitation counselors currently employed in the United States.
There are 62,803 active certified rehabilitation counselor job openings in the US.
The average certified rehabilitation counselor salary is $42,200.
Are certified rehabilitation counselor jobs in demand?
Certified rehabilitation counselor job and salary trends over time
Certified rehabilitation counselor jobs over time
Certified rehabilitation counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 34,559 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 38,367 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 41,727 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 40,892 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 39,737 | 0.01% |
Average certified rehabilitation counselor salary over time
Certified rehabilitation counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $42,200 | $20.29 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $40,424 | $19.43 | +0.9% |
| 2023 | $40,064 | $19.26 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $39,198 | $18.85 | +0.5% |
| 2021 | $38,985 | $18.74 | +0.8% |
Certified rehabilitation counselor jobs by state
Most common states for certified rehabilitation counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 150 | 22% |
| 2 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 633 | 18% |
| 3 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 686 | 17% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,372 | 16% |
| 5 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,028 | 15% |
| 6 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,638 | 13% |
| 7 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,164 | 13% |
| 8 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 781 | 13% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 172 | 13% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 94 | 13% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 83 | 13% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 77 | 13% |
| 13 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 873 | 12% |
| 14 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 527 | 12% |
| 15 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 468 | 12% |
| 16 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,235 | 11% |
| 17 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 681 | 11% |
| 18 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 505 | 11% |
| 19 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 350 | 11% |
| 20 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 479 | 10% |
Most common cities for certified rehabilitation counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterloo | 1 | 1% | $40,050 |
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of certified rehabilitation counselor experts
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Adelphi University
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Carolina Christian College
Montana State University – Bozeman
American University
California State University Long Beach
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Ohio University
Vanguard University
Rider University
Angelo State University
Oral Roberts University
Szu-Ping Lee PT, PhD
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Rehabilitation And Therapeutic Professions
What general advice would you give to a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor?
Szu-Ping Lee PT, PhD: Most people like the job because they enjoy working with people and helping them. There is a high level of satisfaction that comes from improving other people's lives. In fact, healthcare workers consistently report some of the highest levels of career satisfaction. However, caring for people is hard work. Doing a good job as a rehabilitation specialist takes a lot of mental and physical energy. Therefore, burnout is fairly common.
What Certified Rehabilitation Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Szu-Ping Lee PT, PhD: Aging is happening globally. Our society requires rehabilitation specialists to care for our elderly and individuals recovering from injuries or other illnesses. A World Health Organization commissioned study estimated that 1 in 3 persons in the world will need some form of rehabilitation care in their lifetime, and this demand is growing. Therefore, the job market for rehabilitation specialists is expanding in many areas of the U.S. and abroad.
Elsa Drevyn PT, DPT
Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education and Vice Chair for Clinical EducationWhat general advice would you give to a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor?
Elsa Drevyn PT, DPT: It brings a lot of satisfaction to help someone recover or achieve the greatest potential that they possibly can after an injury, accident, illness, etc. This profession probably offers more flexibility than many as far as job sharing, hours, settings, etc. There is also flexibility in the types of settings that we can work in and the opportunity to change settings throughout our careers. We deal with a lot of emotional situations, patients in pain and distressed, that does take a toll. There is pressure from administrators for increased productivity and that also gets taxing.
What Certified Rehabilitation Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Elsa Drevyn PT, DPT: This would totally depend on the setting. Generally speaking, in an acute setting, the PT would be working on early mobilization of the patient to prevent complications from prolonged positioning. If the patient is stable, the PT would most likely be working on bed mobility, transfers, gait training, exercises, while at the same time monitoring the pt’s reaction to the intervention. In an inpatient rehabilitation setting, the PT would be working with the patient for close to an hour or so, two times per day to help them achieve the highest level of function possible. In an OP setting, the PT would be working on the specific issue/impairment, to help the patient attain ROM, strength, function, decrease pain, etc.
What will help Certified Rehabilitation Counselors increase their earning potential?
Elsa Drevyn PT, DPT: There is increased awareness of what we do and how we can assist an individual. There is also increased autonomy and the push for even more autonomy. There is high demand in the different settings and salaries have improved over the years.
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC
Assistant Dean & Program Director, Master's programs in General Psychology and Mental Health CounselingAdelphi University
Mental And Social Health Services And Allied Professions
What general advice would you give to a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: In the next few years, counselors will benefit from developing skills in emerging technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and how such technology is being used by clients through various social media applications that might lead to clinical concerns (.e.g., dating, gambling, pornography). Integrating some of these new technologies into therapeutically sound interventions will be one way to address these concerns both in traditional therapy settings, as well as virtually (e.g., avatar therapy).
What Certified Rehabilitation Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: Given the complexities of the world today, emerging counseling professionals must be flexible in their treatment approach, inclusive in their understanding of diverse cultures and sub-cultures, and mature professionally through humility, self-reflection, and self-care.
What will help Certified Rehabilitation Counselors increase their earning potential?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: One way to maximize your earning potential when starting your career is to develop a focus, not just a specialization. A focus requires a broader lens when it comes to earnings. For example, specializing in clinical treatments for addiction is important and will generate referrals. However, having a focus in addiction treatments extends your reach into other adjacent areas such as business applications and services offered outside of the therapy office. It might start with the question, 'what other groups or organizations might benefit from my focus area?' This might lead to a consultation opportunity at a business that is interested in reducing burnout for its employees and by extension the sequelae of problems associated with burnout (e.g., depression, addiction). One opportunity often leads to another. The second way to maximize income early in your career is to consider ways to translate what you do into a public-facing profile. Whether using LinkedIn or your own website, it is crucial for the public to become acquainted with you professionally. Investing in this process will pay off quickly.
What will help Certified Rehabilitation Counselors increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What skills stand out on Certified Rehabilitation Counselor resumes?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Skills that stand out on Counselor resumes include multilingual, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and leadership skills.
What soft skills should all Certified Rehabilitation Counselors possess?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Soft skills that are essential for counselors include emotional intelligence, empathy, multicultural competency, interpersonal abilities, and authenticity.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.
What type of skills will young Certified Rehabilitation Counselors need?
Brian Ogolsky Ph.D.: Critical thinking skills are crucial in science disciplines. Graduates need to be the right consumers of research because there is a lot of false information floating around. They need to be able to understand and critique science, methods, and data. Independence and creativity are also crucial. Employees are becoming more dependent on specific guidelines, tasks, and directives, but to thrive and move up the ranks, it is critical to come up with new and exciting ideas and take risks.
What type of skills will young Certified Rehabilitation Counselors need?
Dr. Andrew Wood: For Biblical Studies, it is vital that graduates have a genuine relationship with Jesus, that they are people of humility and integrity, desire to be lifelong learners, and have open minds to new things they learn that may challenge their original assumptions. They need to have a strong work ethic, organizational, and time management skills to work on their own productively and with integrity.
Dr. Mark Nelson
Professor and Program LeaderMontana State University – Bozeman
Department of Health and Human Development; Graduate Program – School Counseling
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Nelson: Rocky Mountain and western states seem to have many opportunities. This may be due to the westward migration in the U.S. population.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Michelle Newton-Francis Ph.D.: The upheaval of the pandemic sees graduates entering the worst job market in more than a decade. Still, some forecasters say it is slowly getting better. I encourage graduates to remain flexible in their thinking and search strategies. For example, many companies will expand their remote positions, opening opportunities for jobs they may not have previously considered due to geographic location. Pandemic or not, graduates may not obtain their "dream job" right away and should also consider opportunities that build transferable skills. Pandemic or not, job searching should always be treated like a full-time job. It is just more challenging and competitive right now. Networking is vital and remains one of the most viable ways to get a job. To create networks, students should take advantage of virtual or socially distanced internships, which build contacts and skills. Students and alumni often overlook their college career centers, which offer invaluable services (and connections), including virtual career fairs and meetings with potential employers.
Maria Claver Ph.D.
Director of the Gerontology ProgramCalifornia State University Long Beach
Gerontology Program
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors in the next 5 years?
Maria Claver Ph.D.: There will be an increase in the demand for graduates in Gerontology in the next five years. We know that, given the rapid aging of our population in the United States and throughout the world, there are not nearly enough professionals trained in meeting the various needs of an older community. Moreover, I believe that society will finally recognize the need for specialists in the aging field in areas that have not traditionally employed gerontologists, such as marketing and banking, and fashion design!
What type of skills will young Certified Rehabilitation Counselors need?
Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.: Indeed, the way we work is changing. The skills that young graduates will need are diverse. Transferable skills and soft skills will certainly be marketable. These include traditional crafts such as communication, but I also think the world expects more empathy from its employees. Young graduates with an understanding of racism, sexism, and environmental responsibility will become increasingly important.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.: Graduates will have the opportunity to shape the future and help solve problems. Numerous organizations are attempting to solve social issues and environmental challenges. The world needs, and subsequently, employment is available for passionate graduates ready to invest their energy into solving problems.
How do you envision technology impacting Certified Rehabilitation Counselors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.: COVID-19 has shown us how much we rely on technology. It seems like all organizations are beginning to see their dependence on technology, for better or worse. Our field is no different. Everything from social conversations to crime is moving online. With so many human interactions happening online, it will be necessary for graduates to navigate technology with ease.
How do you envision technology impacting Certified Rehabilitation Counselors in the next 5 years?
Christine Suniti Bhat: The pandemic has already altered the way in which school counselors are engaging with their students. The importance of learning management systems and dynamic tools to interact with students online will continue to grow. School counselors will have to be prepared to deliver individual services as well as group and class interventions using technologies such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
This is something that we would not have anticipated five years ago. School counselors may also have to address issues related to isolation, loneliness, and excessive screen time, along with some of the issues that are related to the misuse of technology such as cyberbullying and sexting. Prevention (before problems arise) and intervention (addressing issues after they arise) are both important. Overall, health and wellness in relation to the use of technology will become more important.
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.
Dr., Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic TheologyVanguard University
Religion, Undergraduate Religion
What general advice would you give to a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.: Opportunities come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are still out there. Whether you are seeking to land a job in education or the non-profit sector, you will need to familiarize yourself and get used to all things digital, for the sake of communicating effectively. The younger your student or service partner's mindset, the more digitally savvy you will need to be, especially in the classroom and in the non-profit world.
Aubrey Daniels Ph.D.
Acting Assistant ProfessorRider University
Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling
What general advice would you give to a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor?
Aubrey Daniels Ph.D.: Those who are beginning their career with a degree in mental and social health services and allied professions should aim to get as much experience as possible! Apply for positions where you are allowed to work with others, whether through one-on-one counseling, groups, or consulting. Also, take this time to learn about the business component of the profession, too.
Other ways to gain more experience is by partaking in a variety of training, online webinars, and conferences. There are many free online instructions you can partake in to gain more knowledge about topics of interest, whether it is a specific type of therapeutic approach or more information about a mental health disorder.
Also, be open! You never know which population you enjoy serving most, until you get the most experience possible. Lastly, a more diverse caseload will provide you with a better idea about how to help a wide range of individuals. It will also assist you in learning more about the different ways people view the world, which will widen your view of the world.
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.
Director, Quality Enhancement Plan Program Coordinator, M.S. Professional School Counseling Associate Professor, Curriculum and InstructionAngelo State University
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.: Graduates will need to learn to use technology in which virtual platforms are taking place and web conferencing platforms. Numerous platforms are being used, so the particular platform itself is not as crucial as being well-versed in how virtual education differs from face-to-face environments. Typically, the instructional role in online learning is more of a facilitator, as the educator guides the students to think critically, integrate, and apply new knowledge. This may be difficult for educators who would rather stand in front of a classroom and pass on their knowledge through lecture-based formats. Additionally, being well-versed in various web conferencing platforms will benefit graduates, as they move into a career that is currently requiring communication in virtual environments.
Dr. Bill Buker
Associate Dean and Professor of Professional CounselingOral Roberts University
Theology
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Bill Buker: Your second question about technology is challenging to predict, as that innovation area seems to change so rapidly. One thing that we are learning, as a result of coping with the challenges created by Covid-19, is that virtual learning, which technology makes possible, allows us to extend the influence of our classrooms and ministries, literally, around the world. I suspect that as the pandemic subsides, and a new normal is eventually established, it will involve more telelearning platforms.