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Job outlook for vocational rehabilitation supervisors in the United States
Are vocational rehabilitation supervisor jobs in demand?
Vocational rehabilitation supervisor job and salary trends over time
Vocational rehabilitation supervisor jobs over time
Vocational rehabilitation supervisor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,018 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,130 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,229 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,205 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,171 | 0.00% |
Average vocational rehabilitation supervisor salary over time
Vocational rehabilitation supervisor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $43,258 | $20.80 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | $41,437 | $19.92 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | $41,068 | $19.74 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $40,180 | $19.32 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $39,961 | $19.21 | +0.8% |
Vocational rehabilitation supervisor jobs by state
Most common states for vocational rehabilitation supervisors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 10 | 2% |
| 2 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 115 | 1% |
| 3 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 59 | 1% |
| 4 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 52 | 1% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 50 | 1% |
| 6 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 33 | 1% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 32 | 1% |
| 8 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 27 | 1% |
| 9 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 21 | 1% |
| 10 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 19 | 1% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 10 | 1% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 8 | 1% |
| 13 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 8 | 1% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 8 | 1% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 7 | 1% |
| 16 | Delaware | 961,939 | 6 | 1% |
| 17 | Alaska | 739,795 | 5 | 1% |
| 18 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 5 | 1% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 5 | 1% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 39 | 0% |
Most common cities for vocational rehabilitation supervisors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $37,224 |
Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of vocational rehabilitation supervisor experts
Pennsylvania State University - Abington
Husson University
Lipscomb University
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis
Brenau University
South College
LaGrange College
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Ohio Wesleyan University
What will help Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Abigail Akande Ph.D., CRC: New issues are emerging, yet some that are prevalent now will remain prevalent. Technology and telehealth; immigrant cross-cultural sensitivity and international service provision; multilingualism; disability and chronic health conditions among older adults/seniors; vocational rehabilitation and career counseling; and co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse.
What soft skills should all Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors possess?
Chad Howland: As outlined previously, a rehabilitation specialist needs to be an active listener and form a partnership with their patient/client. Expanding upon this point, they need to be effective communicators with other healthcare professionals. Establishing trust between various stakeholders is essential.
What skills stand out on Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor resumes?
Dr. Ruth Henry: Exposure to a variety of therapy settings. The outpatient clinics are the most common type of shadowing and patient care. While those are valuable, it is good for students to have had at least some observation hours in a greater variety of settings--inpatient, acute care, long-term care, or school settings. For a potential employee coming right out of their therapy training, skills in teamwork are desirable since the therapist usually works with a team of healthcare professionals.
What soft skills should all Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors possess?
Dr. Ruth Henry: Important soft skills for rehab are creativity and flexibility. Not every "textbook" type of therapy will work for every patient, so being about to "think outside the box" in developing a novel protocol is useful. During the pandemic, flexibility was essential because some sessions had to be held remotely, and while those sessions are not ideal, being able to adapt to the current needs is essential. People skills are also needed. Therapists meet with their patients several times per week over a period of several weeks, and sessions are more fun for the patient if the therapist has an ability to interact with them; this helps the therapist make a connection for the patient and better compliance with the program can result. On the other hand, silent therapy sessions with no therapist/patient interaction can be awkward and unmotivating.
Dr. Raymond Ortega Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock
Rehabilitation Counseling Program
What skills stand out on Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor resumes?
Dr. Raymond Ortega Ph.D.: The job market for rehabilitation counselors has changed substantially over the years. Initially, it was limited to public sector agencies but now includes several private and non-profit opportunities. As a result, the requisite skillset has also increased. The essential skills that "stand out" include knowledge of career and occupational standards and requirements, legal and regulatory standards, physical and psychological disability, and counseling skills.
What skills will help Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors earn the most?
Dr. Raymond Ortega Ph.D.: Specialization in Life Care Planning, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, or Worker's Compensation.
Erin Foster Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Neurology and PsychiatryWashington University School of Medicine in St Louis
Program in Occupational Therapy
What skills will help Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors earn the most?
Erin Foster Ph.D.: Communicating your research and its impact clearly and effectively to diverse audiences through various channels (e.g., social media, scientific presentations, in conversations with "lay" stakeholders). Self-advocacy and negotiation skills.
Dr. Robert Cantu
Associate ProfessorBrenau University
Physical therapy Department
What skills stand out on Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor resumes?
Dr. Robert Cantu: These are not necessarily skills per se, but as a hiring manager, this is what I would look at in a resume for a new grad:
Clear objective statement in the resume that matches the needs of the clinic. This shows a focus on job seeking and career path.
Clinical education experiences that match the needs of the clinic.
Skills gained in their clinical training that matches the clinic's needs: Examples: Strong manual therapy training in a clinic that emphasizes one-on-one care of patients. Strong exercise training in sports medicine clinics.
For those with some career experience:
Job stability--i.e., how long is the candidate at one place of employment. At least 18-24 months in a job or longer is good. This means they were perceptive and chose wisely. Six jobs in the first 5 years will raise red flags.
Current and frequent continuing education attendance in the area in which the clinic specializes. This shows a focus on growing and staying current in clinical skills.
What will help Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Roberta “Bertie” Gatlin: Unfortunately many salary rates are limited by the corporate organizations. There are more practitioners going into private practice which allows them to have better salary based on the reimbursement contracts with payors. Those that seek residency and fellowship training often have an increase in salary but this would be based on the employers management structure, like an tiered program or career ladder.
What's a good job out of college for Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors?
Amber Leiker McGlawn Ph.D.: I like to be blunt with my students-your first job out of college most likely isn't going to be your dream job, but that's okay! A good job out of college is one that can help not only build your resume, but build your professional character. For example, in our senior seminar course at LaGrange College, we set short-term and long-term career goals. In analyzing your own goals, look for a first job that can help you build skills that will be applicable as you're on your way to dream job, and ones that can still apply once you get there.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor job market given the pandemic?
Amber Leiker McGlawn Ph.D.: With the pandemic, I think a lot more people are recognizing the role of healthy living habits in the prevention of disease. As Exercise Science practitioners have the ability to provide services to improve baseline health, I'm hoping to see increases in the utilization of exercise for preventative care, especially once the general population feels safe to do so again. Until then, we'll likely continue to see opportunities to provide services online or in smaller, more personal settings. Either way, creativity will be key with the ever-changing dynamics of the pandemic.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor job market given the pandemic?
Christopher Kevin Wong Ph.D.: In the short term, the immediate effect has been reduced clinic density and overall patient care. Thus, there may be fewer opportunities for new graduate Rehab Techs at the current time. In addition, elective surgeries are down in number in many areas thus there are fewer people to rehabilitate from such surgeries. Other people with minor injuries and dysfunctions that have comorbidities that put them at risk for COVID may opt to wait or use telehealth (which has little role for Rehab Techs). It may be a good time to take the next step to apply to professional programs if you can afford it.
For rehab professionals, however, the demand for care remains strong in telehealth, home care, hospital based, out patient care. However, assumed is potential care for people with COVID if in institutional settings and for exposure to COVID via patients in any setting.
In the long term, there will be many people with lingering cardiovascular impairment that may introduce more opportunities for Rehab Techs particularly in Physical and Respiratory Techs in both private and hospital based out-patient care. The job market for rehab care will rebound, though telehealth will likely remain as a part of how we interact with patients.
What experience really stands out on Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor resumes?
Dr. Andrew Busch: For students looking to get into graduate school and those looking to get hired within the field of Exercise Science (Physiology, Kinesiology, Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Strength Coaching) the more hands-on experiences one can be exposed to, the better equipped they will be to hit the ground running. I know of many different four-year institutions that hand out degrees in this field where the students never actually work with a real person. Everything is a theory or textbook-based approach, and while those things are certainly important, if a student is never asked to actually apply those concepts, and asked to respond to the issues/questions that arise when those concepts don't always work like advertised in the textbook, they are missing out on the big picture of what a degree should be giving them. If practical experiences are not part of a given academic program, then students should seek out these experiences, because that is what they will be asked about in their interview process with employers. What have you done? Why are you interested in this field? What differences can you make? They are never asked what score they got on their midterm or final exam.