Post job

Counseling specialist vs rehabilitation specialist

The differences between counseling specialists and rehabilitation specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a counseling specialist has an average salary of $44,061, which is higher than the $42,934 average annual salary of a rehabilitation specialist.

The top three skills for a counseling specialist include social work, mental health and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a rehabilitation specialist are rehabilitation, patients, and crisis intervention.

Counseling specialist vs rehabilitation specialist overview

Counseling SpecialistRehabilitation Specialist
Yearly salary$44,061$42,934
Hourly rate$21.18$20.64
Growth rate10%11%
Number of jobs64,40429,177
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4245
Years of experience-12

What does a counseling specialist do?

A counseling specialist guides groups, families, or individuals dealing with mental well-being or mental health issues. These professionals approach their duties holistically by implementing a 'wellness' model that identifies and promotes the client's strengths. Besides developing therapeutic processes and encouraging clients to share their experiences and emotions, counseling specialists also refer the clients to professional psychologists and more services. They work with families and examine aging, relationships, suicide, stress, depression, self-image, careers, bullying, substance abuse, anger management, and LGBTQ issues.

What does a rehabilitation specialist do?

Rehabilitation specialists are professionals who are responsible for helping individuals with physical and mental disabilities to reintegrate into society and live independently. These specialists must assist their clients in finding the type of work they could do with their disability and prepare them for their interview. They are required to provide a basic explanation about the medical or mental health condition to their clients. Rehabilitation specialists must also collaborate with other professionals to assist with rehabilitation exercises.

Counseling specialist vs rehabilitation specialist salary

Counseling specialists and rehabilitation specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Counseling SpecialistRehabilitation Specialist
Average salary$44,061$42,934
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $59,000Between $29,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CACleveland, OH
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyChicago Public SchoolsPrudential Bank
Best paying industryFinanceProfessional

Differences between counseling specialist and rehabilitation specialist education

There are a few differences between a counseling specialist and a rehabilitation specialist in terms of educational background:

Counseling SpecialistRehabilitation Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeBoston UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York

Counseling specialist vs rehabilitation specialist demographics

Here are the differences between counseling specialists' and rehabilitation specialists' demographics:

Counseling SpecialistRehabilitation Specialist
Average age4245
Gender ratioMale, 36.6% Female, 63.4%Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage11%21%

Differences between counseling specialist and rehabilitation specialist duties and responsibilities

Counseling specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage assignments of paying medical bills limit in depth that include organizing and researching regulations as pertain to veterans eligibility.
  • Follow member verification process, ensuring member's HIPAA rights.
  • Provide HIV pre- and post-test counseling, and conduct confidential HIV testing using rapid OraQuick.
  • Coordinate housing efforts with HUD also, verify yearly rental and income checks with social security.
  • Identify and recruit students, assess academic, motivational, and social needs, and develop individual work plans.
  • Develop social histories and rehabilitation treatment plans.
  • Show more

Rehabilitation specialist example responsibilities.

  • Ensure the facilities' mission are achieved by effectively supervising the mental health rehabilitative efforts of severely and chronically ill patients.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of ISP goals and objectives.
  • Utilize extensive administrative, CPR, first aid, and medical equipment training as needed.
  • Encourage and assist patients to perform specific activities of daily living (ADL's).
  • Prepare and participate in semi and annual meetings, ISP's and day hab plans.
  • Resolve issues with the clients that create a barrier to the successful completion of their IPE.
  • Show more

Counseling specialist vs rehabilitation specialist skills

Common counseling specialist skills
  • Social Work, 25%
  • Mental Health, 20%
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • HIPAA, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
Common rehabilitation specialist skills
  • Rehabilitation, 24%
  • Patients, 14%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Social Work, 4%

Browse community and social services jobs