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The differences between vocational rehabilitation specialists and rehabilitation counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a vocational rehabilitation specialist and a rehabilitation counselor. Additionally, a vocational rehabilitation specialist has an average salary of $47,721, which is higher than the $43,111 average annual salary of a rehabilitation counselor.
The top three skills for a vocational rehabilitation specialist include rehabilitation, community resources and independent living. The most important skills for a rehabilitation counselor are rehabilitation, social work, and mental health.
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $47,721 | $43,111 |
| Hourly rate | $22.94 | $20.73 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 4,190 | 77,220 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A vocational rehabilitation specialist helps clients suffering from disabilities, impairments, or injuries with employment opportunities. Their job is to critically assess their clients' interests and problems and to use that to figure out the perfect position that would be a great fit for their capabilities. Their job may also involve the evaluation of employees who wish to return to work to determine if they can do so and how best to go about it.
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.
Vocational rehabilitation specialists and rehabilitation counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Average salary | $47,721 | $43,111 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $64,000 | Between $31,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Cleveland, OH |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Ohio |
| Best paying company | Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan | North Shore Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a vocational rehabilitation specialist and a rehabilitation counselor in terms of educational background:
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Washington |
Here are the differences between vocational rehabilitation specialists' and rehabilitation counselors' demographics:
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.5% Female, 59.5% | Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1% |
| 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, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 2.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 21% | 21% |