Rehabilitation Counselor Salary
Rehabilitation Counselors earn a median $46,850 a year nationally. Community and Social Service Occupations
What rehabilitation counselors do
Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.2% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 8,200
Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 8,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Rehabilitation Counselor take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,442
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,905
- Medicare (1.45%)$679
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,824
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,060 | $16.86 | $30,351 |
| 25th percentile | $38,770 | $18.64 | $33,332 |
| Median (50th) | $46,850 | $22.52 | $39,824 |
| 75th percentile | $59,260 | $28.49 | $49,795 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,170 | $37.10 | $63,119 |
Best cities for rehabilitation counselors (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $58,580 | $49,249 | $44,315 | 2,820 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $49,350 | $39,535 | $38,163 | 2,440 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $48,290 | $39,250 | $36,047 | 2,940 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $50,000 | $40,252 | $35,760 | 2,800 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $47,440 | $38,146 | $35,234 | 3,430 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $43,480 | $35,822 | $31,543 | 4,980 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Seattle, WA — $58,580
- New York, NY — $50,000
- Chicago, IL — $49,350
- Washington, DC — $48,290
- Boston, MA — $47,440
- Los Angeles, CA — $43,480
Rehabilitation Counselor salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $67,640 | +19.7% | $56,415 | $36,620 – $76,870 | 70 |
| North Dakota | $63,050 | +3.8% | $52,841 | $58,190 – $76,120 | 210 |
| Alaska | $61,590 | −25.3% | $51,668 | $44,030 – $103,400 | 130 |
| Kentucky | $58,540 | +4.3% | $47,286 | $33,000 – $77,790 | 790 |
| Washington | $58,050 | −1.0% | $48,823 | $46,050 – $84,500 | 5,440 |
| Connecticut | $56,340 | +23.9% | $45,839 | $39,510 – $97,140 | 2,410 |
| Georgia | $55,000 | +16.9% | $44,141 | $34,900 – $85,510 | 740 |
| Oregon | $54,970 | +4.4% | $42,368 | $42,650 – $83,510 | 1,630 |
| Idaho | $54,550 | +15.7% | $44,228 | $29,450 – $75,710 | 820 |
| Alabama | $54,040 | −0.5% | $43,164 | $35,230 – $80,110 | 540 |
| Maine | $51,150 | +11.4% | $41,008 | $38,550 – $74,410 | 330 |
| Vermont | $50,030 | +0.8% | $41,137 | $40,750 – $82,180 | 310 |
| Texas | $49,990 | +3.3% | $42,347 | $30,070 – $72,800 | 1,840 |
| New Jersey | $49,730 | +3.2% | $40,938 | $39,700 – $92,670 | 1,630 |
| District of Columbia | $49,680 | −33.2% | $40,283 | $49,670 – $95,530 | — |
| Illinois | $49,350 | +1.6% | $39,535 | $37,280 – $75,020 | 4,140 |
| South Dakota | $49,350 | +0.8% | $41,833 | $41,190 – $76,680 | 370 |
| Delaware | $48,840 | +10.3% | $39,389 | $39,200 – $73,560 | 340 |
| Hawaii | $48,720 | +4.9% | $39,135 | $38,820 – $71,000 | 150 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,650 | −5.3% | $39,777 | $36,230 – $77,220 | 4,130 |
| Arizona | $48,330 | +5.1% | $40,014 | $37,130 – $60,670 | 1,750 |
| New Mexico | $48,240 | −6.4% | $39,834 | $37,300 – $77,010 | 210 |
| West Virginia | $48,050 | +8.7% | $39,354 | $28,810 – $64,240 | 470 |
| Minnesota | $48,010 | +2.3% | $39,006 | $37,660 – $81,840 | 3,020 |
| Louisiana | $47,990 | +3.0% | $39,687 | $34,130 – $128,130 | 280 |
| New York | $47,960 | −1.5% | $38,723 | $37,130 – $76,600 | 3,810 |
| Colorado | $47,840 | −4.9% | $39,223 | $36,460 – $89,510 | 980 |
| Virginia | $47,530 | +2.1% | $38,451 | $28,850 – $97,240 | 2,890 |
| Massachusetts | $47,320 | +3.5% | $38,056 | $38,770 – $101,760 | 5,760 |
| Nebraska | $47,050 | −4.5% | $38,723 | $37,040 – $68,040 | 480 |
| Rhode Island | $47,020 | −13.1% | $38,814 | $46,670 – $85,800 | 420 |
| Wisconsin | $46,530 | +10.9% | $38,301 | $32,930 – $69,990 | 2,390 |
| Tennessee | $46,060 | +1.5% | $39,189 | $35,320 – $59,800 | 1,590 |
| Florida | $45,990 | −5.2% | $39,133 | $34,410 – $67,980 | 3,110 |
| North Carolina | $45,890 | −1.7% | $37,730 | $30,440 – $59,600 | 3,820 |
| Montana | $45,240 | +1.3% | $37,161 | $37,410 – $59,900 | 330 |
| Missouri | $45,180 | −3.4% | $37,296 | $37,260 – $62,600 | 2,020 |
| Michigan | $44,580 | +1.7% | $36,356 | $31,040 – $72,400 | 3,340 |
| California | $44,480 | +0.5% | $36,573 | $35,940 – $69,260 | 13,690 |
| Indiana | $44,390 | −2.9% | $36,567 | $30,450 – $62,520 | 2,030 |
| Utah | $43,900 | −6.0% | $36,444 | $35,400 – $85,050 | 650 |
| Ohio | $42,620 | −2.8% | $36,035 | $31,650 – $78,210 | 3,690 |
| New Hampshire | $42,600 | −5.0% | $36,409 | $34,630 – $57,300 | 430 |
| Kansas | $41,980 | +1.9% | $34,368 | $30,930 – $57,430 | 1,370 |
| Mississippi | $41,500 | −9.7% | $34,597 | $29,270 – $71,960 | 470 |
| Maryland | $40,860 | −4.3% | $33,434 | $36,590 – $67,630 | 3,300 |
| Nevada | $40,120 | −9.5% | $34,416 | $34,400 – $62,550 | 570 |
| Iowa | $39,630 | +3.9% | $33,169 | $34,370 – $58,220 | 2,170 |
| Oklahoma | $38,260 | +27.2% | $31,746 | $27,200 – $57,320 | 1,570 |
| South Carolina | $35,990 | −6.3% | $30,096 | $30,900 – $55,310 | 980 |
| Arkansas | $35,210 | +20.0% | $29,311 | $24,580 – $70,670 | 600 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counselors, All Other | $50,860 | Master's degree | +5.9% |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,350 | Master's degree | +18.4% |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,330 | Master's degree | +2.9% |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $66,940 | Master's degree | +13.5% |
| Social and Human Service Assistant | $45,930 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.4% |
| Community Health Worker | $51,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +12.7% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $56,730 | Bachelor's degree | +5.5% |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,550 | Bachelor's degree | +4.4% |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $60,280 | Master's degree | +10.3% |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,070 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rehabilitation counselor make?
The national median salary for rehabilitation counselors is $46,850 a year ($22.52 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,060 and the top 10% earn over $77,170. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays rehabilitation counselors the most?
Wyoming has the highest median pay at $67,640. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many rehabilitation counselors are there in the U.S.?
About 94,740 people work as rehabilitation counselors nationwide.