Rehabilitation Counselors
SOC 21-1015 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Rehabilitation Counselors is $44,040, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $48,430, and an estimated 84,750 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +17.3% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -0.3% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 1.4% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Rehabilitation Counselors has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $44,040 | $44,040 | 84,750 |
| 2022 | $39,990 | $41,636 | 82,420 |
| 2021 | $38,560 | $43,360 | 90,310 |
| 2020 | $37,530 | $44,185 | 100,260 |
Nominal change
+17.3%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-0.3%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+1.4%
About average
Employment 2024
91,900
Projected 2034
93,200
Annual Openings
10,000
Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Rehabilitation Counselors earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $44,040. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $77,290 | +75.5% | 50 |
| Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area | $71,640 | +62.7% | 70 |
| Alaska | $66,460 | +50.9% | 120 |
| Rhode Island | $65,400 | +48.5% | 210 |
| Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $64,480 | +46.4% | 110 |
| District of Columbia | $61,700 | +40.1% | 510 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $60,680 | +37.8% | 110 |
| Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $60,260 | +36.8% | 30 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $59,950 | +36.1% | 100 |
| Idaho | $58,240 | +32.2% | 740 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$31,390
25th Pct
$36,440
Median
$44,040
75th Pct
$56,610
90th Pct
$73,710
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Devereux Foundation | NY | 23 | $55,341 |
| New England Center for Children, Inc. | MA | 19 | $53,500 |
| UPSTATE CEREBRAL PALSY, INC. | NY | 14 | $35,360 |
| UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY ASSOCIATIONS OF NYS, INC. | NY | 10 | $34,590 |
| The Home for Little Wanderers | MA | 9 | $36,130 |
| The Devereux Foundation | MA | 7 | $40,928 |
| Richmond Children Center, Inc. | NY | 6 | $36,400 |
| Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc. | MA | 6 | $50,253 |
| AHRC NYC | NY | 5 | $37,440 |
| The Devereux Foundation | CT | 5 | $41,829 |
| Boston Higashi School, Inc. | MA | 5 | $53,200 |
| Wayside Youth & Family Support Network, Inc. | MA | 3 | $40,040 |
| Hillcrest Educational Center's Inc. | MA | 2 | $50,000 |
| YAI-National Institute for People with Disabilities | NY | 2 | $46,800 |
| The Home for Little Wanderers | NH | 2 | $37,440 |
| OASIS PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT GROUP, LTD. | NY | 2 | $54,080 |
| EVERGREEN CENTER INC. | MA | 2 | $77,896 |
| THE DEVEREUX FOUNDATION | FL | 2 | $39,083 |
| Anderson Center for Autism | NY | 2 | $44,762 |
| The Devereux Foundation | AZ | 1 | $43,680 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Community & Social Service
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.