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The differences between rehabilitation counselors and clinical counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a rehabilitation counselor, becoming a clinical counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a clinical counselor has an average salary of $54,191, which is higher than the $43,111 average annual salary of a rehabilitation counselor.
The top three skills for a rehabilitation counselor include rehabilitation, social work and mental health. The most important skills for a clinical counselor are social work, patients, and foster care.
| Rehabilitation Counselor | Clinical Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $43,111 | $54,191 |
| Hourly rate | $20.73 | $26.05 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 77,220 | 146,133 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
Rehabilitation counselors are professional counselors who are responsible for helping individuals cope with their disabilities to live independently. These counselors are required to consult other professionals, family members, and individuals when developing a treatment plan based on the goals, strengths, limitations, and personal values of their clients. They must make connections with community support so that individuals with disabilities can avail of the types of services that are available. Rehabilitation counselors must also find employers and educate them in understanding the needs and abilities of disabled people.
A Clinical Counselor interviews clients to assess their mental health and behavioral problems. They examine issues such as substance abuse, depression, stress, aging and self-image.
Rehabilitation counselors and clinical counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Rehabilitation Counselor | Clinical Counselor | |
| Average salary | $43,111 | $54,191 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $58,000 | Between $43,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cleveland, OH | Bethesda, MD |
| Highest paying state | Ohio | Maryland |
| Best paying company | North Shore Healthcare | Novo Nordisk |
| Best paying industry | Government | Professional |
There are a few differences between a rehabilitation counselor and a clinical counselor in terms of educational background:
| Rehabilitation Counselor | Clinical Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Washington | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between rehabilitation counselors' and clinical counselors' demographics:
| Rehabilitation Counselor | Clinical Counselor | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1% | Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 21% | 15% |