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Job outlook for rehabilitation services counselors in the United States
Are rehabilitation services counselor jobs in demand?
Rehabilitation services counselor job and salary trends over time
Rehabilitation services counselor jobs over time
Rehabilitation services counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 553 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 614 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 668 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 655 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 636 | 0.00% |
Average rehabilitation services counselor salary over time
Rehabilitation services counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $46,612 | $22.41 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | $44,650 | $21.47 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | $44,252 | $21.28 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $43,296 | $20.82 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $43,060 | $20.70 | +0.8% |
Rehabilitation services counselor jobs by state
Most common states for rehabilitation services counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 235 | 34% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,178 | 21% |
| 3 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 606 | 19% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 162 | 15% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 110 | 15% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 137 | 14% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 80 | 14% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 545 | 13% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 461 | 13% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 170 | 13% |
| 11 | Alaska | 739,795 | 96 | 13% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 849 | 12% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 687 | 12% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 231 | 12% |
| 15 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 213 | 12% |
| 16 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 162 | 12% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 122 | 12% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 105 | 12% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 74 | 12% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 979 | 11% |
Rehabilitation Services Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of rehabilitation services counselor experts
Western Illinois University
American University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Vanguard University
Angelo State University
What will help Rehabilitation Services Counselors increase their earning potential?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Continued Learning and Development: Stay committed to lifelong learning by attending workshops, pursuing advanced certifications, and staying updated on the latest research and therapeutic techniques. Supervision and Mentorship: Seek out supervision and mentorship opportunities from experienced professionals in the field. Consider participating in a peer supervision group where you can support one another and be open to constructive criticism as part of your development. Engage in regular self-reflection for personal growth. Prioritize Self-Care: Establish healthy boundaries between work and personal life, engage in activities that recharge you and help prevent burn out. Cultural Competence and Diversity: Cultivate cultural humility and strive to understand the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of your clients. Continuously educate yourself on multiculturalism and antiracism to provide competent and inclusive counseling services. Ethical Practice: Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional standards in your practice. Strive to Build Strong Therapeutic Relationships: Establish rapport, demonstrate empathy, and create a safe and trusting environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and feelings. Evidence-Based Practice: Stay informed about research findings and utilize interventions that have been empirically validated for specific client populations and presenting issues. Networking and Collaboration: Build professional connections within the counseling community. Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and participate in networking events to expand your professional network. Collaboration with colleagues can lead to referrals, consultation opportunities, and mutual support. Consider doing some pro bono work: Pro bono services help bridge the gap to access mental health services for individuals who cannot afford them.
What will help Rehabilitation Services 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.
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Specialist in School Psychology and Clinical/ Community Mental Health Graduate ProgramsWestern Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What Rehabilitation Services Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - The best I can give to graduates is to focus on taking small steps at first. Often the first year in the field can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The system we work in (the helping profession broadly) often has a lot of challenges, and new professionals want to re-envision a path for changes. This is tangible, but at first, it is important to understand the roles and functions in the workplace before flipping everything upside down. I suggest taking one small change at a time in an area that is important to you and build relationships and trust with your professional colleagues before overloading yourself with the new job and new goals.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Rehabilitation Services 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.
What type of skills will young Rehabilitation Services 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.
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 Rehabilitation Services 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.
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 Rehabilitation Services 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.