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According to a 2020 study published in the Disability and Health Journal, people with disabilities suffer from loneliness and a lack of social support at much higher rates than those without disabilities. While many factors contribute to this situation, people with disabilities often lack an opportunity for social engagement that many people take for granted: work.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that, in 2024, 22.7% of people with disabilities were employed compared to 65.5% of people without disabilities. For some, ableism has discouraged them from finding jobs. For others, logistical issues such as a lack of transportation create seemingly impassable barriers.

Vocational rehabilitation counselors are dedicated to helping people with disabilities overcome obstacles to employment. For those who are interested in this role, here’s what to know about what these professionals do, how to become one, and how earning a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Special Education degree can help.

What Does a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Do?

The primary duty of vocational rehabilitation counselors is to help their clients with disabilities develop the skills they need to succeed in a workplace environment. This also typically includes helping clients find a suitable job.

Vocational rehab counselors serve clients with any of a number of developmental, physical, neurological, or mental disabilities. But no matter who they serve, their duties include:

• Assessing clients’ needs, abilities, and interests

• Devising care plans and creating employment goals for clients

• Helping clients develop foundational workplace skills such as communication and time management

• Connecting clients to other resources and professionals (therapists, doctors, etc.) as needed

• Helping employers meet their employees’ needs and understand their legal obligations

• Documenting all the actions and progress of clients thoroughly

• Helping clients apply for and receive all the benefits they’re entitled to, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

• Advocating for policies and laws that protect the well-being of people with disabilities and empower them to succeed

The specifics of these duties can vary depending on their clients’ needs. For example, a counselor serving someone who has sustained a debilitating injury may help the client identify what kind of work they’d like to do and find a physical therapist who can help them prepare. On the other hand, if a client has a developmental disability, the counselor might focus more on building the client’s communication skills and finding them a job with an enriching workplace culture. 

Where Do Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Work?

Vocational rehabilitation counselors work in a wide variety of settings in both the public and private sector. Many work for a state, city, or county social service agency or department of vocational rehabilitation. Others work for specialty healthcare providers, schools, community-based service centers, employment agencies, and nonprofits.

How to Become a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Requirements vary among employers, but vocational rehabilitation counselors typically need to have at least a bachelor’s degree and some experience in related roles. Senior-level positions frequently require a master’s degree and/or a specialty certification. However, there are many ways to meet all of these requirements.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Future vocational rehabilitation counselors can prepare for their career by earning a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as rehabilitation counseling, psychology, or human services. Many future counselors choose to study special education at this level.

Through a special education bachelor’s program, students learn skills they can use in either the classroom or a vocational rehabilitation setting in areas such as:

• Assessment

• Teaching skills to individuals with special needs

• Collaborating with school counselors , parents, and other members of an individual’s support network

• Transition planning

In addition to learning these skills, students who study special education also learn about development, cognition, and the science behind many of the disabilities they’ll encounter as counselors.

Step 2: Gain Experience in Entry-level Positions

Employers often require applicants to have experience in related entry-level positions before considering them for vocational rehabilitation counselor roles. Professionals with a bachelor’s degree are qualified for a wide range of such positions.

Exact early-career opportunities can vary depending on what type of degree a professional has, but many counselors start their career as:

• Employment specialists

• Vocational rehabilitation specialists and assistants

• Case managers and caseload assistants

• Human service assistants

• Disability support professionals

• Special education paraprofessionals and support specialists

Professionals with a degree in special education also are qualified to work as a special education teacher or a child care professional . While not required, this type of experience can be invaluable in learning how to serve people with special needs.

Step 3: Pursue a Master’s Degree and Professional Certifications

While some vocational rehabilitation counselor positions only require a bachelor’s degree and some experience, many require a master’s degree. This is often true for senior counselor positions and positions with government agencies. At this level, professionals can earn their degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling, mental health counseling, special education, human services, or another closely related field.

Along with a master’s degree, some employers also prefer candidates who have been certified through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) or who have gone through another form of specialty training. A certification isn’t typically a requirement, but it can help professionals stand out for competitive, high-level roles.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Salary and Job Growth

According to the BLS, rehabilitation counselors, including vocational rehabilitation counselors, have a median annual salary of $44,040 as of May 2023. Those who work for state governments have a median salary of $59,360. The highest-earning professionals in the field earn $73,710 and up.

From 2023 to 2033, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects the rehabilitation counselor workforce will grow by 2%, with an average of 8,000 job openings available per year. This growth projection is based on the expected needs of the growing population of older adults and those of other groups such as veterans and people with disabilities.

Start a Career Where You Can Empower Others

When you work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, every one of your clients has their own unique set of needs and talents. Through the B.A. in Special Education program at Wilson College Online, you can learn how to help empower these individuals no matter what kind of support they need.

With a 13-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, our program is focused on helping students learn about cognition, assessment, and different disabilities in a supportive, personal environment. And with flexible, asynchronous coursework, you can design a schedule that meets your own needs as you gain the expertise required to meet the needs of others.

While this program is designed to help students prepare for certification as a special education teacher in Pennsylvania, the empowerment-focused, research-backed curriculum can be a great option for anyone who wants to serve some of the most vulnerable members of their community.

Wilson College Online also offers a Master of Special Education program for those who are currently working in education and want to advance or specialize in their career. Learn more about Wilson College Online’s education programs today.

Recommended Readings

Cognitive vs. Behavioral Therapy: How Are They Different?

Flexible Learning Environments: How Do They Benefit Students?

What Is Trauma-Informed Teaching?

Sources:

Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, What Is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor?

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Counselor — Career Opportunities in Pennsylvania

Disability and Health Journal, “Loneliness, Social Support, Social Isolation and Wellbeing Among Working Age Adults With and Without Disability: Cross-Sectional Study”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Persons With a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics — 2024”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Rehabilitation Counselors

U.S. Department of Labor, “Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Handbook”