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Habilitation specialist salary
Average habilitation specialist salary
$16.63
Understanding Habilitation Specialist Salaries
The role of a habilitation specialist is vital in supporting individuals with disabilities to achieve their personal goals and enhance their quality of life. The average salary for a habilitation specialist is $34,597 per year, or about $17 per hour. However, salaries can differ significantly based on various factors.
Salary by Experience and Location
Entry-level habilitation specialists may earn less, while those with more experience can command higher wages. Geographic location also plays a crucial role in salary variation. For instance, specialists in metropolitan areas typically earn more than those in rural settings.
Industry Influence on Salary
Different industries offer varying pay scales for habilitation specialists. Working in healthcare or educational services often provides better compensation compared to other sectors. Researching salary trends by state and industry can give job seekers a clearer perspective on expected earnings and help them negotiate better salaries.
Conclusion
For those considering a career as a habilitation specialist, understanding salary dynamics is crucial. This information empowers prospective specialists to make informed choices about their career paths and seek opportunities that align with their financial goals.
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Where can a Habilitation Specialist earn more?
Habilitation specialist salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level habilitation specialist | $24,000 | $11.54 |
| Mid-level habilitation specialist | $34,100 | $16.38 |
| Senior-level habilitation specialist | $39,100 | $18.81 |
Habilitation specialist salary estimates from across the web
Average habilitation specialist salary by state
The average habilitation specialist salary in Hawaii, California, and New Mexico are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average habilitation specialist salary states are West Virginia, Tennessee, and Rhode Island.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for habilitation specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $40,144 | $19.30 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $38,044 | $18.29 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $52,028 | $25.01 |
| 4 | Maine | $38,475 | $18.50 |
| 5 | Hawaii | $42,208 | $20.29 |
| 6 | North Carolina | $39,142 | $18.82 |
| 7 | Idaho | $38,719 | $18.61 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $35,671 | $17.15 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | $36,445 | $17.52 |
| 10 | Oregon | $40,141 | $19.30 |
| 11 | New Mexico | $40,170 | $19.31 |
| 12 | Alaska | $36,973 | $17.78 |
| 13 | New York | $36,081 | $17.35 |
| 14 | Nevada | $37,900 | $18.22 |
| 15 | Kansas | $35,113 | $16.88 |
| 16 | Arkansas | $35,099 | $16.87 |
| 17 | California | $40,219 | $19.34 |
| 18 | Delaware | $34,836 | $16.75 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $36,446 | $17.52 |
| 20 | Illinois | $35,943 | $17.28 |
| 21 | Washington | $37,407 | $17.98 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $34,149 | $16.42 |
| 23 | Utah | $35,669 | $17.15 |
| 24 | Louisiana | $33,980 | $16.34 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $36,958 | $17.77 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $34,901 | $16.78 |
| 27 | Ohio | $34,032 | $16.36 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $32,681 | $15.71 |
| 29 | Texas | $34,338 | $16.51 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $32,031 | $15.40 |
| 31 | Indiana | $31,231 | $15.01 |
| 32 | Colorado | $35,417 | $17.03 |
| 33 | Mississippi | $33,866 | $16.28 |
| 34 | Florida | $32,518 | $15.63 |
| 35 | Missouri | $32,737 | $15.74 |
| 36 | Massachusetts | $31,443 | $15.12 |
| 37 | West Virginia | $28,846 | $13.87 |
| 38 | Arizona | $31,298 | $15.05 |
| 39 | Iowa | $28,865 | $13.88 |
| 40 | Michigan | $31,035 | $14.92 |
| 41 | Virginia | $32,815 | $15.78 |
| 42 | Maryland | $29,109 | $13.99 |
| 43 | Georgia | $30,906 | $14.86 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $28,470 | $13.69 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $29,244 | $14.06 |
| 46 | Vermont | $30,515 | $14.67 |
| 47 | Rhode Island | $28,375 | $13.64 |
| 48 | Montana | $28,962 | $13.92 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $28,307 | $13.61 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $28,300 | $13.61 |
| 51 | Alabama | $27,651 | $13.29 |
Highest paying cities for habilitation specialists
The highest-paying cities for habilitation specialists are Spokane, WA, Tulsa, OK, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spokane, WA | $36,613 | $17.60 |
| 2 | Tulsa, OK | $36,539 | $17.57 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $36,129 | $17.37 |
| 4 | Bloomington, IL | $35,582 | $17.11 |
| 5 | Waco, TX | $34,159 | $16.42 |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $33,859 | $16.28 |
| 7 | Waterloo, IA | $28,972 | $13.93 |
Habilitation specialist salary details
A habilitation specialist's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $43,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a habilitation specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $34,597 | $2,883 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for habilitation specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Rowan University
Top companies hiring habilitation specialists now:
Which companies pay habilitation specialists the most?
Habilitation specialist salaries at New York State Restaurant Association and ADAPT Community Network are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average habilitation specialist salary at companies like Gateway Hudson Valley and Fegs are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York State Restaurant Association | $46,229 | $22.23 |
| 2 | ADAPT Community Network | $37,816 | $18.18 |
| 3 | Gateway Hudson Valley | $37,593 | $18.07 |
| 4 | Fegs | $37,008 | $17.79 |
| 5 | Mental Health & Mental Retardation Treatment Ctr | $36,895 | $17.74 |
| 6 | Community Based Services | $36,671 | $17.63 |
| 7 | CP International | $36,391 | $17.50 |
| 8 | Liberty Healthcare | $34,885 | $16.77 |
| 9 | The Arc Mid-Hudson | $34,723 | $16.69 |
| 10 | C & P HOLDINGS, LLC | $34,723 | $16.69 |
| 11 | United Cerebral Palsy Of Central Pennsylvania Inc | $33,945 | $16.32 |
| 12 | Arc-Com | $33,870 | $16.28 |
| 13 | REWARDING ENVIRONMENTS FOR ADULT LIVING INC | $33,344 | $16.03 |
| 14 | Helen Keller International | $33,234 | $15.98 |
| 15 | WellLife Network | $32,665 | $15.70 |
| 16 | The New York Foundling | $32,360 | $15.56 |
| 17 | May Institute | $31,757 | $15.27 |
| 18 | North Star Community Services | $31,444 | $15.12 |
| 19 | The Center for Youth and Family Solutions | $31,282 | $15.04 |
| 20 | Community Mainstreaming Associates | $31,166 | $14.98 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Habilitation Specialist salary by industry
The average habilitation specialist salary varies across industries:
- The average habilitation specialist salary in the non profits industry is $33,867, the highest of any industry.
- The average habilitation specialist salary in the finance industry is $33,064.
- Habilitation specialists in the professional industry earn an average salary of $31,956, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for habilitation specialists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non Profits | $33,867 | $16.28 |
| 2 | Education | $33,064 | $15.90 |
| 3 | Government | $32,908 | $15.82 |
| 4 | Health Care | $32,905 | $15.82 |
| 5 | Professional | $31,956 | $15.36 |
High paying habilitation specialist jobs
Habilitation specialist salary trends
The average habilitation specialist salary has risen by $6,946 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average habilitation specialist earned $27,651 annually, but today, they earn $34,597 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for habilitation specialists over the last decade.
Compare habilitation specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average habilitation specialist salary over time
Compare habilitation specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Habilitation specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,600 | $16.63 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $33,700 | $16.22 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $32,500 | $15.61 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $31,900 | $15.32 | +4.0% |
| 2021 | $30,600 | $14.71 | +3.1% |
Recently added habilitation specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neheadstart | Developmental Disabilities Safety & Habilitation Specialist-Bsdc | Beatrice, NE | 06/29/2025 | $55,347 |
| Burke | Habilitation Specialist | Lufkin, TX | 06/28/2025 | $25,044 |
| State of New York | Habilitation Specialist 1-Placement Coordinator | New York, NY | 06/28/2025 | $57,764 |
| The New York Foundling | Day Habilitation Specialist | New York, NY | 06/27/2025 | $39,653 |
| Hands of Heartland | Habilitation Specialist I | Tulsa, OK | 06/27/2025 | $38,693 |
| Community Mainstreaming Associates | Day Habilitation Specialist | Westbury, NY | 06/19/2025 | $39,653 |
| Childserve | Day Habilitation Specialist (M-F) | Johnston, IA | 06/18/2025 | $37,566 |
| State of Nebraska | Developmental Disabilities Safety & Habilitation Specialist-Bsdc | Beatrice, NE | 06/18/2025 | $55,347 |
| AABR | Community Habilitation Specialist | New York, NY | 06/17/2025 | $36,001 |
| The Arc of Opportunity | PD of Day Habilitation | Fitchburg, MA | 06/16/2025 | $60,466 |
Habilitation specialist salary FAQs
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