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Job outlook for community integration specialists in the United States
Community integration specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected community integration specialist job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 52,400 new jobs for community integration specialists are projected over the next decade.
Community integration specialist salaries have increased 13% for community integration specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 33,433 community integration specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 29,534 active community integration specialist job openings in the US.
The average community integration specialist salary is $38,894.
Are community integration specialist jobs in demand?
Community integration specialist job and salary trends over time
Community integration specialist jobs over time
Community integration specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 33,433 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 36,769 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 39,740 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 38,912 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 37,836 | 0.01% |
Average community integration specialist salary over time
Community integration specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $38,894 | $18.70 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $37,920 | $18.23 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $36,503 | $17.55 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $35,822 | $17.22 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | $34,405 | $16.54 | +3.2% |
Community integration specialist jobs by state
Most common states for community integration specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 184 | 27% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,018 | 15% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 124 | 13% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 98 | 13% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 78 | 13% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 340 | 11% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 205 | 11% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 869 | 10% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 634 | 10% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 106 | 10% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 85 | 10% |
| 12 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 78 | 10% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 507 | 9% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 487 | 9% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 391 | 9% |
| 16 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 119 | 9% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 117 | 9% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 96 | 9% |
| 19 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 573 | 8% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 296 | 8% |
Most common cities for community integration specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $45,555 |
| 2 | Medford | 1 | 2% | $42,629 |
| 3 | Wilmington | 1 | 1% | $45,806 |
| 4 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $53,411 |
| 5 | Santa Ana | 1 | 0% | $54,316 |
Community Integration Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of community integration specialist experts
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Assumption University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Montana State University
Bethel University
Maryville University
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
East Tennessee State University
Thresholds
Carolina Christian College
Montana State University – Bozeman
American University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Ohio University
Elms College
Vanguard University
Angelo State University
Szu-Ping Lee PT, PhD
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Rehabilitation And Therapeutic Professions
What general advice would you give to a Community Integration Specialist?
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 Community Integration Specialist 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.
What will help Community Integration Specialists increase their earning potential?
Szu-Ping Lee PT, PhD: There are many specialists in rehabilitation, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation nurses, rehabilitation physicians (physiatrist), orthotists/prosthetists, podiatrists, speech and language pathologists, respiratory therapists, social workers, and more. Each profession fulfills its own responsibilities in the rehabilitation process while collaborating with other professionals. The main goal of all clinical rehabilitation specialists is to improve patient function and to help them achieve their goals. For someone considering entering the field, I would suggest learning as much about each profession as possible to find out which field is most appealing. Many rehabilitation clinics and hospitals provide shadowing experience, and that is a good way to learn about the different fields.
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 Community Integration Specialist?
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 Community Integration Specialist 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 Community Integration Specialists 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.
What will help Community Integration Specialists 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 soft skills should all Community Integration Specialists 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 Community Integration Specialists?
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.
Susan Scully-Hill Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies and Director of the School Counseling program at Assumption UniversityAssumption University
Department of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Community Integration Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Susan Scully-Hill Ph.D.: What I am seeing now is that schools are increasing the number of "school support personnel" by hiring additional school counselors, school adjustment counselors, learning coaches, student engagement officers, instructional aides, and para-professionals. Student engagement in remote learning is, overall, very low and schools are seeing more students failing multiple subjects than they have ever before. Currently schools are working hard to increase student engagement and academic outcomes by increasing support personnel. I think this trend will continue even as students transition back to in-person learning. Transitioning back to in- person learning will create challenges for many students-not just academic challenges but social, and emotional as well. Making up for lost classroom and learning time will be a priority and therefore additional school personnel will be required.
What experience really stands out on Community Integration Specialist resumes?
Dr. Andrew Busch: For students looking to get into graduate school and those looking to get hired within the field of Exercise Science (Physiology, Kinesiology, Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Strength Coaching) the more hands-on experiences one can be exposed to, the better equipped they will be to hit the ground running. I know of many different four-year institutions that hand out degrees in this field where the students never actually work with a real person. Everything is a theory or textbook-based approach, and while those things are certainly important, if a student is never asked to actually apply those concepts, and asked to respond to the issues/questions that arise when those concepts don't always work like advertised in the textbook, they are missing out on the big picture of what a degree should be giving them. If practical experiences are not part of a given academic program, then students should seek out these experiences, because that is what they will be asked about in their interview process with employers. What have you done? Why are you interested in this field? What differences can you make? They are never asked what score they got on their midterm or final exam.
What type of skills will young Community Integration Specialists need?
Edward Dunbar: Additionally, new graduates will need knowledge and skills in telehealth, integrative care and medicine, trauma, and case management. Whereas prior to the pandemic students had limited knowledge of the importance of client case management, the pandemic has required students to learn about community resources and helping clients with concrete short term goals.
What experience really stands out on Community Integration Specialist resumes?
Dr. Amy Evans: What tends to stand out for applicants is often a variety of experiences. Showing one's experience with both group and individual counseling as well as any crisis intervention work helps to highlight skills the counselor may have developed. Volunteer experience that shows the passion a counselor might have for advocacy is also helpful. Carefully crafted resumes that show one's fit for the particular job is always important!
What skills stand out on Community Integration Specialist resumes?
Michael Kiener Ph.D.: Regardless if you are counseling in person or virtually effective professionals will need to develop empathetic therapeutic relationships with their clients. Rehabilitation counselors that have experience working with post-traumatic stress and other forms of trauma will be highly valuable. The increased use of working remotely will require individuals to develop new technology skills and rehabilitation counselors who can work independently will be successful. Finally, volunteering, participation in professional organizations, and internships will help make individuals stand out when applying for jobs.
Kim Jones Ph.D.
Professor, Chair of Clinical ConcentrationUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock
School of Social Work
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Community Integration Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Kim Jones Ph.D.: As a result of the pandemic, the need for mental health services will increase due to the devastating impact the pandemic has had. The pandemic, with its resulting stress, social isolation, loss of loved ones, and income, has resulted in increased levels of reported depression, anxiety, and alcohol and drug use. It has also negatively impacted children's emotional, educational, and psychological well-being.
It is reported that one in five U.S. citizens (47 million) have a mental health condition. These individuals are particularly vulnerable to relapse and a worsening of their conditions due to the stressful impact of the ongoing pandemic. The pandemic, in many instances, has also interrupted their usual regimen of mental health care.
Social workers will see a 13 percent growth rate in jobs between 2019 and 2029.
Jamie Brown Ph.D.
ProfessorEast Tennessee State University
Department of Counseling and Human Services
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Community Integration Specialists?
Jamie Brown Ph.D.: We know that many of our graduates are drawn to the field of Human Services due to the issues they have faced in their own lives. We have seen an uptick in students sharing the fact they have struggled with Adverse Childhood Experiences during our remote teaching and advising. We need to be aware of Trauma-Informed teaching and outreach as a program and as a university.
What experience really stands out on Community Integration Specialist resumes?
Jamie Brown Ph.D.: Community involvement and activism can set a potential candidate apart from other applicants.
What general advice would you give to a Community Integration Specialist?
Chris Noone: The need for dedicated, compassionate social work and mental health professionals has never been greater. There is a significant increase in mental health problems worldwide, including PTSD, due to the pandemic. Social work and mental health staff have stepped up and are making a difference with sophisticated, evidence-based approaches, such as providing trauma-informed care. They quickly adapted to doing virtual teletherapy sessions and outdoor/walking visits with social distancing. The good news is they have more tools available in their toolkits, such as apps they can use with clients to help coach: meditation, breathing exercises, goal visualization, etc. Their work is more than essential right now and in the long-term.
What type of skills will young Community Integration Specialists 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 Community Integration Specialists 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 Community Integration Specialists 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.
What type of skills will young Community Integration Specialists 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.
How do you envision technology impacting Community Integration Specialists 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.
What general advice would you give to a Community Integration Specialist?
Dr. Meredith Bertrand: History is ever-changing, and teachers must clarify how current events are just as much a part of the study of history as any other socio-political period or event. If you are not comparing the civil rights movement of today to the ongoing civil rights movements of the past, and if you are not supporting the campaign against oppression and institutional racism upon which our nation was built, then you are doing continuous harm to those who need you to act and disrupt the cycle. History teachers better be ready to be activists, not just teachers, or else you are perpetuating the status quo.
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 Community Integration Specialist?
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.
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 Community Integration Specialists 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.