Salary distribution
Where California rehabilitation counselors fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $39,870 and $52,240, with a median of $44,280.
Rehabilitation Counselors in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 12 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $38,875. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 7 | $38,875 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $52,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $48,173 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Rehabilitation Counselors in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Devereux Foundation | Habilitation Counselor | 10 | $38,875 |
| Mouri Management Group, Inc. | QIDP/Rehabilitation Counsellor | 1 | $52,000 |
| Cypress Independent Living Services, Inc. | Independent Living Rehabilitation Center Counselor | 1 | $55,120 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Habilitation Counselor at The Devereux Foundation$38,875GoletaDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25309-374406
- QIDP/Rehabilitation Counsellor at Mouri Management Group, Inc.$52,000San JoseWage Level IIDecided Jun 18, 2025I-200-25162-080869
- Independent Living Rehabilitation Center Counselor at Cypress Independent Living Services, Inc.$55,120San JoseWage Level IIDecided May 23, 2025I-203-25136-986867
- Habilitation Counselor at The Devereux Foundation$38,875GoletaWage Level IDecided Sep 8, 2025I-200-25243-278683
- Habilitation Counselor at The Devereux Foundation$38,875GoletaWage Level IDecided Sep 8, 2025I-200-25241-276958
- Habilitation Counselor at The Devereux Foundation$38,875GoletaWage Level IDecided Jul 18, 2025I-200-25193-170964
- Habilitation Counselor at The Devereux Foundation$38,875GoletaWage Level IDecided Jul 18, 2025I-200-25193-170960
- Habilitation Counselor at The Devereux Foundation$36,670GoletaWage Level IDecided May 6, 2025I-200-25120-919291
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Rehabilitation Counselors pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Master's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.1 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Service Orientation
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
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.
- 02
Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
- 03
Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.
- 04
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.
- 05
Monitor and record clients' progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
- 06
Participate in job development and placement programs, contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating the success of placements.
- 07
Collaborate with clients' families to implement rehabilitation plans, such as behavioral, residential, social, or employment goals.
- 08
Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients' abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+1.4%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for rehabilitation counselors in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Jose$56,760
- San Francisco$49,230
- San Diego$43,320
- Sacramento$43,080
- Los Angeles$43,010
- Riverside$41,290
Compare Rehabilitation Counselors pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Rehabilitation Counselors in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Rehabilitation Counselors in California is $44,280.
- How does California compare to the national median for Rehabilitation Counselors?
- The California median is -4.7% versus the BLS national figure of $46,470.
- What is the salary range for Rehabilitation Counselors in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $37,280 and the 90th-percentile at $72,140, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Rehabilitation Counselors a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 1.4% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Rehabilitation Counselors?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Master's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.