by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling covers Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/counselor. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Counsel And Assist Disabled Individuals And Recovering Patients In Order To Achieve Their Greatest Physical, Mental, Social, Educational, And Vocational Potential. Includes Instruction In Patient Evaluation And Testing, Rehabilitation Program Planning, Patient Support Services And Referral, Job Analysis, Adjustment Psychology, Rehabilitation Services Provision, Patient Counseling And Education, Applicable Law And Regulations, And Professional Standards And Ethics. Examples: [Rehabilitation Counseling], [Rehabilitation Services]. Read on to learn the essential details every vocational rehabilitation counseling student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering vocational rehabilitation counseling programs.
In the U.S., vocational rehabilitation counseling is a popular field of study, with 941 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Schools ranking analyzes these 58 schools to determine the best overall colleges for vocational rehabilitation counseling students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of vocational rehabilitation counseling programs later in this article.
Studies in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations vocational rehabilitation counseling graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a vocational rehabilitation counseling program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a vocational rehabilitation counseling major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several vocational rehabilitation counseling degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 155 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 766 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 16 |
People currently working in careers related to vocational rehabilitation counseling tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 35.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 24.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 18.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in vocational rehabilitation counseling careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying vocational rehabilitation counseling prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to vocational rehabilitation counseling.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to vocational rehabilitation counseling.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | 33,909 | 12.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of vocational rehabilitation counseling graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,332 |
| 4 years | $70,102 |
| 5 years | $75,167 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for vocational rehabilitation counseling graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers vocational rehabilitation counseling grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $40,604 |
With 58 different vocational rehabilitation counseling programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased vocational rehabilitation counseling school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in vocational rehabilitation counseling, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,424 |
| Occupational Therapy/Therapist | 10,460 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,107 |
| Art Therapy/Therapist | 768 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 722 |
| Music Therapy/Therapist | 651 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 621 |
| Orthotist/Prosthetist | 408 |
| Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist | 121 |
| Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering | 108 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
