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Job outlook for veterans rehabilitation counselors in the United States
Are veterans rehabilitation counselor jobs in demand?
Veterans rehabilitation counselor job and salary trends over time
Veterans rehabilitation counselor jobs over time
Veterans rehabilitation counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 503 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 559 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 608 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 596 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 579 | 0.00% |
Average veterans rehabilitation counselor salary over time
Veterans rehabilitation counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $44,984 | $21.63 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | $43,090 | $20.72 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | $42,706 | $20.53 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $41,783 | $20.09 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $41,556 | $19.98 | +0.8% |
Veterans rehabilitation counselor jobs by state
Most common states for veterans rehabilitation counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 91 | 13% |
| 2 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 224 | 6% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 62 | 6% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 60 | 6% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 599 | 5% |
| 6 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 331 | 5% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 280 | 5% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 39 | 5% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 36 | 5% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 29 | 5% |
| 11 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 396 | 4% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 346 | 4% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 315 | 4% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 236 | 4% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 217 | 4% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 148 | 4% |
| 17 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 73 | 4% |
| 18 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 59 | 4% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 57 | 4% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 26 | 4% |
Most common cities for veterans rehabilitation counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | 1 | 4% | $38,516 |
| 2 | Bangor | 1 | 3% | $48,940 |
| 3 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $46,521 |
| 4 | Bowie | 1 | 2% | $40,348 |
| 5 | Bowling Green | 1 | 2% | $55,736 |
| 6 | Covington | 1 | 2% | $58,342 |
| 7 | Ann Arbor | 1 | 1% | $47,539 |
| 8 | Boca Raton | 1 | 1% | $37,873 |
| 9 | Carmel | 1 | 1% | $42,549 |
| 10 | Columbus | 1 | 1% | $43,153 |
| 11 | Davenport | 1 | 1% | $41,594 |
| 12 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $58,611 |
| 13 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $56,729 |
| 14 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $41,036 |
| 15 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $40,413 |
| 16 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $42,043 |
| 17 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $44,401 |
| 18 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $47,649 |
Veterans Rehabilitation Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of veterans rehabilitation counselor experts
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Carolina Christian College
Montana State University – Bozeman
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Ohio University
Elms College
Vanguard University
Rider University
Angelo State University
Oral Roberts University
What will help Veterans Rehabilitation 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.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What soft skills should all Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors possess?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Soft skills that are essential for counselors include emotional intelligence, empathy, multicultural competency, interpersonal abilities, and authenticity.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.
What skills will help Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors earn the most?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Skills that will help you earn the most include teletherapy and trauma-informed care.
How do you envision technology impacting Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors in the next 5 years?
Brian Ogolsky Ph.D.: The pandemic has taught us that we have to adapt to change, and technology has proven an essential form of adaptability. It is clear that employers now see that employees can work remotely, so I expect a lot more of this in the future. It benefits the employers financially (less overhead, etc.) and to employees (more flexibility). That said, work at home arrangements disproportionately affects women with children because they pick up more of the child care burden. This means that more needs to be done to support working parents (women, mostly) to help allow productivity and promote mental health.
What type of skills will young Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors need?
Dr. Andrew Wood: For Biblical Studies, it is vital that graduates have a genuine relationship with Jesus, that they are people of humility and integrity, desire to be lifelong learners, and have open minds to new things they learn that may challenge their original assumptions. They need to have a strong work ethic, organizational, and time management skills to work on their own productively and with integrity.
Dr. Mark Nelson
Professor and Program LeaderMontana State University – Bozeman
Department of Health and Human Development; Graduate Program – School Counseling
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Nelson: Rocky Mountain and western states seem to have many opportunities. This may be due to the westward migration in the U.S. population.
What type of skills will young Veterans Rehabilitation 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.
How do you envision technology impacting Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.: COVID-19 has shown us how much we rely on technology. It seems like all organizations are beginning to see their dependence on technology, for better or worse. Our field is no different. Everything from social conversations to crime is moving online. With so many human interactions happening online, it will be necessary for graduates to navigate technology with ease.
How do you envision technology impacting Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors in the next 5 years?
Christine Suniti Bhat: The pandemic has already altered the way in which school counselors are engaging with their students. The importance of learning management systems and dynamic tools to interact with students online will continue to grow. School counselors will have to be prepared to deliver individual services as well as group and class interventions using technologies such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
This is something that we would not have anticipated five years ago. School counselors may also have to address issues related to isolation, loneliness, and excessive screen time, along with some of the issues that are related to the misuse of technology such as cyberbullying and sexting. Prevention (before problems arise) and intervention (addressing issues after they arise) are both important. Overall, health and wellness in relation to the use of technology will become more important.
What general advice would you give to a Veterans Rehabilitation Counselor?
Dr. Meredith Bertrand: History is ever-changing, and teachers must clarify how current events are just as much a part of the study of history as any other socio-political period or event. If you are not comparing the civil rights movement of today to the ongoing civil rights movements of the past, and if you are not supporting the campaign against oppression and institutional racism upon which our nation was built, then you are doing continuous harm to those who need you to act and disrupt the cycle. History teachers better be ready to be activists, not just teachers, or else you are perpetuating the status quo.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Meredith Bertrand: No technology will replace a great teacher. But, online, flexible technology will be essential in the wake of this virus. The tricky part for new teachers will be to filter all critical information and technology and provide a learning experience that isn't overwhelming. I am a big proponent of the "less is more" theory of education, to get to the depth of what we are trying to teach, but the multitude of online options makes that problematic. I encourage new teachers to gather resources, and when you find that powerful piece that you want to use in your classroom, give it the time it deserves to be absorbed, discussed, and reflected upon.
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 Veterans Rehabilitation 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.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.: The goal is to connect and to be able to create meaningful connections with those you serve, those you are attempting to teach or preach. Zoom will continue to be a vital video-conferencing platform. Depending on the age group you serve, social media platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, and FB (Live) will also be essential to creating community and delivering transformative content.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.: The new normal consist of a both/ and rather than an either/ or. Life as we have known it will never be the same. So, get used to making digital SWAG, in the classroom, and the non-profit arena, a regular part of your professional life if you seek to survive and thrive in an industry dedicated to making a difference in the world.
Aubrey Daniels Ph.D.
Acting Assistant ProfessorRider University
Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors?
Aubrey Daniels Ph.D.: There will be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates. Luckily, most of the effects for those in mental health and social services professions will still be able to be employed as the pandemic occurring is currently having a massive impact on the mental health of people around the world, and it will have a lasting effect on individuals and families for years to come. As I was saying before, the use of video technology in these professions has allowed us to continue working and serving those who have been deeply impacted by this pandemic. So, the job market is still looking hopeful for these professions.
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 Veterans Rehabilitation 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.
Dr. Bill Buker
Associate Dean and Professor of Professional CounselingOral Roberts University
Theology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Veterans Rehabilitation Counselors?
Dr. Bill Buker: In response to your third question regarding the possibility of an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates, I think it's impossible to walk through such a challenging and unprecedented experience without lasting effects. While I can't predict what all of these might entail, I hope, that in discovering the positive and creative outcomes that will emerge out of this pandemic, one effect will be increased trust in God's redemptive activity's Spirit in the world. I'm hopeful that our theology and ministry graduates will recognize the importance of following the Spirit's leading and will intentionally seek to keep in step with what the Spirit is doing, so that they can be collaborative partners with God in the unfolding of his redemptive story.