The Maximum Salary for a Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors specialize in treating patients with the effects of disabilities from birth defects, disease and/or accidents, including helping patients find medical care and assisting with job placement and preparation. The salary of a rehabilitation counselor depends on how many years of experience she has, the type of industry she works in and where she lives.
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Maximum Salary
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Rehabilitation counselors in the 90th percentile of their field earned a salary of $55,580 in the United States as of May 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In comparison, the average salary was $34,710, and the median salary was $31,210.
Industry
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BLS data show that most rehabilitation counselors work in the industries of vocational rehabilitation services or individual and family services, for annual average salaries of over $31,000; however, higher salaries may be found in other industries. The maximum salary according to industry is $58,540 for rehabilitation counselors working in office administrative services. Those working for insurance carriers earn the second-highest average salary at $54,380, followed by those working in junior colleges for the average of $50,040 a year.
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Location
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Salaries vary from state to state for rehabilitation counselors, largely due to differences in demand and cost of living. The BLS named Michigan as the top-paying state for this occupation with a salary average of $48,350 annually, followed by Rhode Island at $46,250 and Alaska at $44,700. Lima, Ohio, was the nation's top-paying metropolitan area for rehab counselors at a salary average of $52,940 annually, followed by St. Cloud, Minnesota, at $52,020.
Advancement
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Rehabilitation counselors can work to earn the highest salary possible by obtaining certification from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, which requires graduating from an accredited educational program, completing an internship and passing a written examination. A master's or doctoral degree will also help rehab counselors achieve the maximum salary.
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References
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