Rehabilitation Counselors
SOC Code: 21-1015 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Rehabilitation Counselors. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $38,230 | $58,614 | $78,978 | $99,362 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $57,325 | $69,867 | $82,430 | $94,973 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $58,843 | $69,472 | $80,101 | $90,730 |
| Reno, NV | $40,019 | $55,557 | $71,094 | $86,632 |
| Anchorage, AK | $50,898 | $62,005 | $73,133 | $84,240 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $42,994 | $56,347 | $69,701 | $83,054 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $38,750 | $52,915 | $67,101 | $81,266 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $48,734 | $59,010 | $69,306 | $79,581 |
| Carson City, NV | $34,362 | $49,400 | $64,438 | $79,477 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $44,491 | $56,118 | $67,725 | $79,352 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 | |
| Speaking | 4.0 | |
| Active Listening | 4.0 | |
| Service Orientation | 4.0 | |
| Monitoring | 3.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 | |
| Coordination | 3.6 | |
| Writing | 3.6 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.1 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 4.1 |
| Psychology | 4.0 |
| Education and Training | 3.9 |
| English Language | 3.9 |
| Administrative | 3.9 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.6 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 3.3 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 55.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 27.9% |
| High school diploma | 12.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.1% |
| First professional degree (MD, JD) | 1.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Monitor and record clients' progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
- Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.
- Prepare and maintain records and case files, including documentation, such as clients' personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of client contacts, or relevant correspondence.
- Arrange for physical, mental, academic, vocational, and other evaluations to obtain information for assessing clients' needs and developing rehabilitation plans.
- Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients' abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
- Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
- Maintain close contact with clients during job training and placements to resolve problems and evaluate placement adequacy.
- Develop and maintain relationships with community referral sources, such as schools or community groups.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
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