Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Rehabilitation Counselors vs. Social and Human Service Assistants: Who Earns More?

Rehabilitation Counselorss out-earn Social and Human Service Assistantss by $920 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Rehabilitation Counselorss land at $46,850 and Social and Human Service Assistantss at $45,930. The education gap is real: rehabilitation counselor programs typically require master's degree, while social and human service assistant programs require master's degree. Top-paying state for Rehabilitation Counselorss is Wyoming ($67,640); for Social and Human Service Assistantss it's District of Columbia ($59,460).

Rehabilitation Counselors
Social and Human Service Assistants
Median salary
$46,850
$45,930
Hourly rate
$22.52/hr
$22.08/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$35,060
$34,200
Senior level (90th %)
$77,170
$63,290
Education required
Master's degree
Master's degree
U.S. employment
94,740
437,860
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Community & Social
Community & Social
Top-paying state
Wyoming
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Rehabilitation Counselors median pay.

State
Rehabilitation Counselors
Social and Human Service Assistants
Alaska
$61,590
$47,360
Washington
$58,050
$54,770
Oregon
$54,970
$51,230
Idaho
$54,550
$47,540
Maine
$51,150
$47,710
New Jersey
$49,730
$48,420
District of Columbia
$49,680
$59,460
Minnesota
$48,010
$49,940
New York
$47,960
$47,190
Colorado
$47,840
$47,690
Massachusetts
$47,320
$47,130
Rhode Island
$47,020
$47,720
Wisconsin
$46,530
$47,500
California
$44,480
$51,090
Maryland
$40,860
$47,210

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Rehabilitation Counselorss or Social and Human Service Assistantss?

Rehabilitation Counselorss earn more nationally. The median is $46,850 for Rehabilitation Counselorss versus $45,930 for Social and Human Service Assistantss, a difference of $920. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Rehabilitation Counselors or Social and Human Service Assistants?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Rehabilitation Counselors or Social and Human Service Assistants?

Rehabilitation Counselors typically requires master's degree. Social and Human Service Assistants requires master's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Rehabilitation Counselorss get paid the most?

Wyoming is the top-paying state for Rehabilitation Counselorss at $67,640/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Rehabilitation Counselors vs. Social and Human Service Assistants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Rehabilitation Counselorss earn $61,590 vs. $47,360 for Social and Human Service Assistantss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Rehabilitation Counselors salary breakdownView →Full Social and Human Service Assistants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Rehabilitation Counselorss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Social and Human Service Assistantss by take-home payExplore →How to become a rehabilitation counselorsGuide →How to become a social and human service assistantsGuide →