How much does a rehab counselor make?
Answer: A typical rehab counselor in the United States makes $46,850 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 95,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Rehab counselor pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,060 | $46,850 | $77,170 | about 95,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $58,540 | about 790 |
| Washington | $58,050 | about 5,000 |
| Connecticut | $56,340 | about 2,000 |
| Georgia | $55,000 | about 740 |
| Oregon | $54,970 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can vary with experience and with a license or certification. It also differs by location and employer type; full-time or part-time hours change total earnings, while shifts vary by workplace.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a rehab counselor 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. Excludes “Occupational Therapists” (29-1122).
What's a typical day like?
They meet clients to learn their goals and strengths, then build a plan for work or independent living. They may contact employers and doctors, find helpful equipment, and track progress in case notes.
How to get this job
Most U.S. rehab counselors earn a master’s after college; some jobs accept a bachelor’s. CRC certification involves a supervised internship and exam, and license rules vary by job and state; people usually start after graduate school.
Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)
Good for people who like helping and teaching and leading and selling.
Did you know?
A rehab counselor may arrange a job coach at someone's workplace—or a specially equipped wheelchair—to help them work or attend school.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Community and Social Service jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/rehabilitation-counselors.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1015.00
- crccertification.com/get-certified
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY