Rehabilitation Counselor Salary in Seattle, WA
Rehabilitation Counselors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $58,580 a year — 25% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $49,249 take-home, or $4,104 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median rehabilitation counselor salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,850
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,632
- Medicare (1.45%)$849
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$49,249
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Rehabilitation Counselor pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,730 | $22.95 | $40,531 | $3,378 |
| 25th percentile | $49,960 | $24.02 | $42,323 | $3,527 |
| Median (50th) | $58,580 | $28.16 | $49,249 | $4,104 |
| 75th percentile | $69,380 | $33.36 | $57,639 | $4,803 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,600 | $41.15 | $69,050 | $5,754 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $58,580 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median rehabilitation counselor's $49,249 take-home pay has the buying power of $44,315 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 2.2× the national concentration of rehabilitation counselor jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for rehabilitation counselors, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #1 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $58,580 | $49,249 | $44,315 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $49,350 | $39,535 | $38,163 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $48,290 | $39,250 | $36,047 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $50,000 | $40,252 | $35,760 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $47,440 | $38,146 | $35,234 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $43,480 | $35,822 | $31,543 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 6 metros →
About the job: rehabilitation counselors
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)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rehabilitation counselor make in Seattle, WA?
The median rehabilitation counselor salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $58,580 a year, or about $28.16 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $49,960 and $69,380.
What is a rehabilitation counselor’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $58,580 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $49,249 a year ($4,104 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a rehabilitation counselor?
Pay here is 25% above the national median of $46,850. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $44,315 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #1 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a rehabilitation counselor afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median rehabilitation counselor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $87,280
- Healthcare Social Worker — $83,550
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $75,280
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $73,580
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $70,630
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $58,090