Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between vocational specialists and vocational rehabilitation counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a vocational rehabilitation counselor has an average salary of $45,871, which is higher than the $37,486 average annual salary of a vocational specialist.
The top three skills for a vocational specialist include rehabilitation, social work and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a vocational rehabilitation counselor are rehabilitation, substance abuse, and transferable.
| Vocational Specialist | Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $37,486 | $45,871 |
| Hourly rate | $18.02 | $22.05 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 33,643 | 78,174 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
Vocational Specialists are responsible for assisting individuals in finding out their career choices. They interview clients to assess their skills, job history, and personality. Their duties include matching a client's education, training, interests, and experiences to an available job position. They organize aptitude tests to assist the client make career options. They also help with résumé preparation or modification, maintaining client records, arranging reports, and correspondence. Vocal Specialists give support for individuals in times of layoffs or job losses.
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 specialists and vocational rehabilitation counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vocational Specialist | Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Average salary | $37,486 | $45,871 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $46,000 | Between $33,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Pittsburg, CA | Williston, ND |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | New York State Restaurant Association | New York State Restaurant Association |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a vocational specialist and a vocational rehabilitation counselor in terms of educational background:
| Vocational Specialist | Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between vocational specialists' and vocational rehabilitation counselors' demographics:
| Vocational Specialist | Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.7% Female, 68.3% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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 | 11% | 21% |