How much does a rehabilitation counselor make?
The median rehabilitation counselor in the United States earns $46,850 per year, about $22.52 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all rehabilitation counselors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 21-1015.
Rehabilitation counselor salary range
Pay for rehabilitation counselors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,060 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $77,170. The average (mean) wage of $51,820 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,060 | $16.85 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,770 | $18.64 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,850 | $22.52 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $59,260 | $28.49 | |
| 90th percentile | $77,170 | $37.10 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for rehabilitation counselors (SOC 21-1015), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Rehabilitation counselor salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Rehabilitation counselors earn the most in Wyoming at $67,640 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $35,210. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $67,640 | 70 |
| North Dakota | $63,050 | 210 |
| Alaska | $61,590 | 130 |
| Kentucky | $58,540 | 790 |
| Washington | $58,050 | 5,440 |
| Connecticut | $56,340 | 2,410 |
| Georgia | $55,000 | 740 |
| Oregon | $54,970 | 1,630 |
| Idaho | $54,550 | 820 |
| Alabama | $54,040 | 540 |
| Maine | $51,150 | 330 |
| Vermont | $50,030 | 310 |
| Texas | $49,990 | 1,840 |
| New Jersey | $49,730 | 1,630 |
| District of Columbia | $49,680 | N/A |
| Illinois | $49,350 | 4,140 |
| South Dakota | $49,350 | 370 |
| Delaware | $48,840 | 340 |
| Hawaii | $48,720 | 150 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,650 | 4,130 |
| Arizona | $48,330 | 1,750 |
| New Mexico | $48,240 | 210 |
| West Virginia | $48,050 | 470 |
| Minnesota | $48,010 | 3,020 |
| Louisiana | $47,990 | 280 |
| New York | $47,960 | 3,810 |
| Colorado | $47,840 | 980 |
| Virginia | $47,530 | 2,890 |
| Massachusetts | $47,320 | 5,760 |
| Nebraska | $47,050 | 480 |
| Rhode Island | $47,020 | 420 |
| Wisconsin | $46,530 | 2,390 |
| Tennessee | $46,060 | 1,590 |
| Florida | $45,990 | 3,110 |
| North Carolina | $45,890 | 3,820 |
| Montana | $45,240 | 330 |
| Missouri | $45,180 | 2,020 |
| Michigan | $44,580 | 3,340 |
| California | $44,480 | 13,690 |
| Indiana | $44,390 | 2,030 |
| Utah | $43,900 | 650 |
| Ohio | $42,620 | 3,690 |
| New Hampshire | $42,600 | 430 |
| Kansas | $41,980 | 1,370 |
| Mississippi | $41,500 | 470 |
| Maryland | $40,860 | 3,300 |
| Nevada | $40,120 | 570 |
| Iowa | $39,630 | 2,170 |
| Oklahoma | $38,260 | 1,570 |
| South Carolina | $35,990 | 980 |
| Arkansas | $35,210 | 600 |
State median wages for rehabilitation counselors (SOC 21-1015), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for rehabilitation counselors
The BLS projects employment of rehabilitation counselors to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 96,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 99,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 8,200 openings a year for rehabilitation counselors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a rehabilitation counselor
The typical entry-level education for rehabilitation counselors is a master's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a rehabilitation counselor earns
Employer, license or certification, caseload, and region shape pay. Government agencies and clinical settings tend to pay above nonprofit and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Wyoming, $67,640) and the lowest (Arkansas, $35,210) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 94,740 people work as rehabilitation counselors in the United States. At $46,850 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Rehabilitation counselor salary FAQ
How much does a rehabilitation counselor make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a rehabilitation counselor is $22.52. The middle half of rehabilitation counselors earn between $18.64 and $28.49 per hour.
What is the highest rehabilitation counselor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of rehabilitation counselors earn more than $77,170 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a rehabilitation counselor make a year?
The median annual salary for a rehabilitation counselor is $46,850. The average (mean) wage of $51,820 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a rehabilitation counselor a well paid job?
At $46,850 a year, a rehabilitation counselor earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 94,740 people work as rehabilitation counselors in the United States.
Which state pays rehabilitation counselors the most?
Wyoming has the highest median salary for rehabilitation counselors at $67,640 a year. North Dakota ($63,050) and Alaska ($61,590) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a rehabilitation counselor a good career?
Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 8,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a rehabilitation counselor?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for rehabilitation counselors as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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