Vocational rehabilitation counselors assist disabled clients with career-related difficulties, and they usually have a master's degree. Read on to find out more about the job duties of a vocational rehabilitation counselor, as well as the educational requirements, job outlook and salary potential for this career.
Job Description and Duties
Vocational rehabilitation counselors help individuals deal with the career-related effects of physical and mental disabilities, which may have resulted from accidents, illnesses, injuries, birth defects or disease. These professionals train clients to search and apply for jobs. They also support those who have lost their jobs or who are dealing with job stress or other issues. In creating a rehabilitation program, they may confer with other professionals assisting in the client's care, including doctors, family members, occupational therapists, teachers and psychologists.
When meeting with a new client, you review the individual's career, education and job training history, and ask them about their personal skills, interests, goals and personality traits to determine their employment strengths and weaknesses. You may also arrange for a client to take an aptitude test to discern the best job options for that individual.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutVocationalRehabilitationCounselors"> Important Facts About Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> On-the-Job Training </td><td> Not provided</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Close listening, social awareness, critical thinking, problem solving, clear spoken communication, compassion, patience</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> State, private, and nonprofit rehabilitation agencies, schools, prisons, independent-living agencies</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Mental health counselors, marriage and family counselors, psychologists, substance and behavioral disorder counselors, school and career counselors</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---EducationAndLicensure">Education and Licensure</h3><p>In order to become a vocational rehabilitation counselor, you likely need a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or counseling psychology. Students learn about counseling theories and techniques, job placement strategies and disability. In addition, students usually do an internship before graduating.
</p><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), licensure may not be required for those offering just vocational rehabilitation services (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). If licensure is required, it involves completing a master's degree program, having supervised clinical experience, completing a state exam and fulfilling continuing education requirements. Experienced rehabilitation counselors also have the option to pursue certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
</p><h3 id="section---CareerOutlook">Career Outlook</h3><p>According to the BLS, there will be an 11% expected increase in employment for rehabilitation counselors from 2021-2031. This growth is due to a need of rehab services for veterans, the elderly and the disabled. In 2021, there were approximately 93,200 of these professionals employed, and this number is expected to grow to 103,000 by 2031. The BLS also reported that as of May 2021, rehabilitation counselors earned a median annual wage of $38,560. Most of these counselors made between $28,890 and $65,880.
</p><p>The top paying industries and their respective average salaries were insurance carriers ($72,380), insurance related activities ($72,130), other ambulatory health care services ($70,200), scientific research services ($70,000) and junior colleges ($67,400), according to May 2021 BLS figures. The top industries of employment and their respective average wages were vocational rehabilitation services ($37,990), individual and family services ($43,140) and state government ($43,140). The top-paying states for rehabilitation counselors were Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Alaska and Massachusetts, where these professionals earned between $52,200 and $80,550.</p>
