Rehabilitation Counselor Salary in 2026
How Much Do Rehabilitation Counselors Make?
Rehabilitation Counselors earn a median annual salary of $46,110 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $34,480 at the 10th percentile to $77,200 at the 90th percentile — a range of $42,720. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $82,400.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,480 |
| 25th percentile | $38,700 |
| Median (50th) | $46,110 |
| 75th percentile | $59,040 |
| 90th percentile | $77,200 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaskatop | $82,400 |
| District of Columbia | $74,410 |
| North Dakota | $60,730 |
| Washington | $58,620 |
| Wyoming | $56,520 |
| Kentucky | $56,150 |
| Alabama | $54,320 |
| Rhode Island | $54,080 |
| Oregon | $52,630 |
| New Mexico | $51,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,350 |
| Colorado | $50,290 |
| Vermont | $49,620 |
| Nebraska | $49,250 |
| South Dakota | $48,950 |
| New York | $48,710 |
| Illinois | $48,580 |
| Florida | $48,520 |
| Texas | $48,410 |
| New Jersey | $48,190 |
| Idaho | $47,140 |
| Georgia | $47,060 |
| Minnesota | $46,950 |
| Missouri | $46,750 |
| Utah | $46,700 |
| North Carolina | $46,670 |
| Louisiana | $46,610 |
| Virginia | $46,540 |
| Hawaii | $46,450 |
| Arizona | $45,970 |
| Mississippi | $45,950 |
| Maine | $45,920 |
| Indiana | $45,730 |
| Massachusetts | $45,730 |
| Connecticut | $45,460 |
| Tennessee | $45,370 |
| New Hampshire | $44,830 |
| Montana | $44,660 |
| Nevada | $44,320 |
| California | $44,280 |
| Delaware | $44,260 |
| West Virginia | $44,220 |
| Michigan | $43,830 |
| Ohio | $43,830 |
| Maryland | $42,680 |
| Wisconsin | $41,970 |
| Kansas | $41,210 |
| South Carolina | $38,420 |
| Iowa | $38,130 |
| Oklahoma | $30,070 |
| Arkansas | $29,330 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Rehabilitation Counselors
Rehabilitation Counselor Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$34,480 – $38,700 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$46,110 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$59,040 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $77,200+ |
How to Earn More as a Rehabilitation Counselor
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Rehabilitation Counselors in Alaska earn $82,400 — $36,290 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($59,040) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Rehabilitation Counselor Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rehabilitation Counselorthis career | $46,110 |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $78,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $95,830 |
| Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor | N/A |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisor | $65,140 |
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SOC: 21-1015.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.