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The differences between vocational rehabilitation specialists and vocational 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 vocational rehabilitation counselor. Additionally, a vocational rehabilitation specialist has an average salary of $47,721, which is higher than the $45,871 average annual salary of a vocational rehabilitation counselor.
The top three skills for a vocational rehabilitation specialist include rehabilitation, community resources and independent living. The most important skills for a vocational rehabilitation counselor are rehabilitation, substance abuse, and transferable.
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist | Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $47,721 | $45,871 |
| Hourly rate | $22.94 | $22.05 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 4,190 | 78,174 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| 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.
The primary role of a vocational rehabilitation counselor is to help disabled people to live fully and independently. Vocational rehabilitation counselors assist people with disabilities in securing employment. They provide health care to those who are coping with mental illness, substance abuse issues, psychological disorders, or physical disabilities. Knowledge of patient care, health management, rehabilitation program, and clinical psychology is a must for this job.
Vocational rehabilitation specialists and vocational rehabilitation counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist | Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Average salary | $47,721 | $45,871 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $64,000 | Between $33,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Williston, ND |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan | New York State Restaurant Association |
| Best paying industry | Government | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a vocational rehabilitation specialist and a vocational rehabilitation counselor in terms of educational background:
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist | Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between vocational rehabilitation specialists' and vocational rehabilitation counselors' demographics:
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist | Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.5% Female, 59.5% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| 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, 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% |