Rehabilitation counselors
SOC Code: 21-1015
Rehabilitation counselors carries a 41% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $46,110 and +1.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 91,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Rehabilitation counselors (SOC 21-1015) carries an AI exposure score of 41%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 91,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +1.4% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $46,110, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Master's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Rehabilitation counselors. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. 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.
- 2. Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.
- 3. Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
- 4. Locate barriers to client employment, such as inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, or transportation problems, and work with clients to develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.
- 5. Monitor and record clients' progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
- 6. Participate in job development and placement programs, contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating the success of placements.
- 7. Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients' abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
- 8. Collaborate with clients' families to implement rehabilitation plans, such as behavioral, residential, social, or employment goals.
- 9. Develop and maintain relationships with community referral sources, such as schools or community groups.
- 10. Maintain close contact with clients during job training and placements to resolve problems and evaluate placement adequacy.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Rehabilitation counselors?
Rehabilitation counselors has an AI exposure score of 41%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Rehabilitation counselors?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow by 1.4% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 91,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Rehabilitation counselors?
Key skills for Rehabilitation counselors include Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, and others. Typical entry-level education is Master's degree.
How much do Rehabilitation counselors earn?
The median annual wage for Rehabilitation counselors is $46,110, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Rehabilitation counselors?
The typical entry-level education for Rehabilitation counselors is Master's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Rehabilitation counselors?
Rehabilitation counselors roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).