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Job outlook for rehabilitation aides in the United States
Rehabilitation aide job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected rehabilitation aide job growth rate is 24% from 2018-2028.
About 33,900 new jobs for rehabilitation aides are projected over the next decade.
Rehabilitation aide salaries have increased 11% for rehabilitation aides in the last 5 years.
There are over 31,052 rehabilitation aides currently employed in the United States.
There are 42,701 active rehabilitation aide job openings in the US.
The average rehabilitation aide salary is $28,284.
Are rehabilitation aide jobs in demand?
Rehabilitation aide job and salary trends over time
Rehabilitation aide jobs over time
Rehabilitation aide job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 31,052 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 33,565 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 36,410 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 32,185 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 33,409 | 0.01% |
Average rehabilitation aide salary over time
Rehabilitation aide salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $28,284 | $13.60 | +5.4% |
| 2025 | $26,843 | $12.91 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | $26,087 | $12.54 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $25,580 | $12.30 | +0.2% |
| 2022 | $25,530 | $12.27 | +2.2% |
Rehabilitation aide jobs by state
Most common states for rehabilitation aides
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 337 | 25% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 98 | 16% |
| 3 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 427 | 15% |
| 4 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 953 | 14% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 953 | 14% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 269 | 14% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 412 | 13% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 179 | 13% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 138 | 13% |
| 10 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 219 | 12% |
| 11 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 952 | 10% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 581 | 10% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 102 | 10% |
| 14 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 83 | 10% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,114 | 9% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 791 | 9% |
| 17 | Alaska | 739,795 | 66 | 9% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 53 | 9% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 467 | 8% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 64 | 8% |
Most common cities for rehabilitation aides
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin | 2 | 3% | $29,319 |
| 2 | East Palo Alto | 1 | 3% | $29,335 |
| 3 | Catonsville | 1 | 2% | $26,020 |
| 4 | Encinitas | 1 | 2% | $28,043 |
| 5 | Glen Burnie | 1 | 1% | $25,997 |
| 6 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $26,953 |
| 7 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $26,037 |
Rehabilitation Aide job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of rehabilitation aide experts
Western University of Health Sciences
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Josh Matacotta
Assistant Dean of Assessment & Strategic Initiatives, Assistant ProfessorWestern University of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
What skills stand out on Rehabilitation Aide resumes?
Josh Matacotta: One skill that should stand out on the resume is working effectively within a multidisciplinary team. Rehabilitation technicians who will successfully work with administrative staff, clinicians, administrators, and other healthcare professionals are highly sought. A rehab technician will work alongside doctors and therapists and interact with other professionals and support staff within their work setting. Having an appreciation for teamwork and how patients ultimately benefit from the effective collaboration is essential.
What soft skills should all Rehabilitation Aides possess?
Josh Matacotta: I teach psychosocial and cultural aspects of healthcare to health sciences students. We explore the impact of psychological, social, and cultural factors that affect interactions between the care provider and their patients. Authentic empathy, active listening, cultural humility, and an ability to communicate in a way that makes others truly feel heard are essential soft skills to have. Many people experienced increased isolation due to COVID-19. This reminded so many of us how vital social connection is to our wellbeing. In the rehabilitation setting, you will experience patients contending with challenges associated with a newly acquired disability or an injury that has placed limitations on their activities of daily living. I cannot stress enough how necessary soft skills are so that you can help your patients and the people around them feel hopeful.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Rehabilitation Aides?
Josh Matacotta: Comfort with computers and a willingness to learn how to use various software is essential. Technicians and aides will prepare, record, and navigate patient records and case management data. Day-to-day duties might vary greatly depending on the setting you are working in. Generally, it would be best if you had a good understanding of physiology and anatomy, patient confidentiality, and protected health information.
What skills will help Rehabilitation Aides earn the most?
Josh Matacotta: As an educator of various health science students, I remind students that they are lifelong learners. After graduation, stay abreast of the latest science through continuing education. I think specializing in a particular setting or a particular condition may help you earn more, especially if there is a shortage of expertise in a specific area or setting. I might add that knowledge about healthcare administration, or organizational skills would help you earn the most.
What's a good job out of college for Rehabilitation Aides?
Christopher Kevin Wong Ph.D.: As a parent of college and post-college age kids, at some level any job that can support you out of school is a good job. Beyond that, if the job interests and challenges you that makes job satisfaction more likely. In addition, if the job can help develop you for whatever next step you want to take that makes the job particularly useful. Ultimately, I like to live by the motto: plan for tomorrow, but live for today.
As such, rehab tech or aide positions can help expose you to the clinical profession you may be interested in, develop knowledge that may have been learned in an academic setting without real life application, and meet requirements for professional program applications. Sometimes, such a job may help you realize the profession you thought you were interested in is not what you thought. In the ideal case, meeting the right professional may set you up with a career mentor that can inspire or influence you for decades.
Alternately, a job as a lab assistant or research coordinator, whether clinical or bench research, can also introduce you to the research side of various professions. Such a position also can develop knowledge gained as an undergraduate and prepare you for academic professional or research programs. Clinical research will also provide exposure to patients/subjects that can be a very personal experience with them and their families.