Rehabilitation Counselor Salary in Washington, DC
Rehabilitation Counselors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $48,290 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,250 take-home, or $3,271 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median rehabilitation counselor salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,615
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,994
- Medicare (1.45%)$700
- District of Columbia income tax$1,731
- Take-home pay$39,250
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Rehabilitation Counselor pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,590 | $17.59 | $30,551 | $2,546 |
| 25th percentile | $36,590 | $17.59 | $30,551 | $2,546 |
| Median (50th) | $48,290 | $23.22 | $39,250 | $3,271 |
| 75th percentile | $59,370 | $28.54 | $47,471 | $3,956 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,520 | $40.63 | $64,074 | $5,340 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,290 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median rehabilitation counselor's $39,250 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,047 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.5× 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
Washington, DC ranks #3 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 Washington, DC?
The median rehabilitation counselor salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $48,290 a year, or about $23.22 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,590 and $59,370.
What is a rehabilitation counselor’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $48,290 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $39,250 a year ($3,271 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,731 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a rehabilitation counselor?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $46,850. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,047 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #3 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a rehabilitation counselor afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 61% of a median rehabilitation counselor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.