Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Healthcare Social Workers vs Rehabilitation Counselors: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Healthcare Social Workers

Median Salary
$68,608
Average (Mean)
$70,061
Employed Nationwide
187,650
VS

Rehabilitation Counselors

Median Salary
$48,149
Average (Mean)
$52,665
Employed Nationwide
94,210
Healthcare Social Workers earns $20,458 more (42.5%)
Healthcare Social Workers vs Rehabilitation Counselors national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Healthcare Social WorkersHealthcare Social WorkersHealthcare Social Workers: $68,608$68,608Rehabilitation CounselorsRehabilitation CounselorsRehabilitation Counselors: $48,149$48,149

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $68,608 $48,149
Average (Mean) Salary $70,061 $52,665
Total Employment 187,650 94,210
States with Higher Pay 49 2

Salary by State: Healthcare Social Workers vs Rehabilitation Counselors

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Healthcare Social Workers pays more in 49 states; Rehabilitation Counselors pays more in 2.

State Healthcare Social Workers Rehabilitation Counselors Difference
Alabama $60,000
$54,040
+$5,960
Alaska $62,000
$61,590
+$410
Arizona $64,030
$48,330
+$15,700
Arkansas $55,640
$35,210
+$20,430
California $89,660
$44,480
+$45,180
Colorado $63,480
$47,840
+$15,640
Connecticut $79,900
$56,340
+$23,560
Delaware $64,620
$48,840
+$15,780
District of Columbia $94,100
$49,680
+$44,420
Florida $64,820
$45,990
+$18,830
Georgia $62,420
$55,000
+$7,420
Hawaii $85,420
$48,720
+$36,700
Idaho $74,500
$54,550
+$19,950
Illinois $64,270
$49,350
+$14,920
Indiana $64,580
$44,390
+$20,190
Iowa $63,050
$39,630
+$23,420
Kansas $64,440
$41,980
+$22,460
Kentucky $64,080
$58,540
+$5,540
Louisiana $61,080
$47,990
+$13,090
Maine $71,610
$51,150
+$20,460
Maryland $76,440
$40,860
+$35,580
Massachusetts $76,440
$47,320
+$29,120
Michigan $67,600
$44,580
+$23,020
Minnesota $73,970
$48,010
+$25,960
Mississippi $62,250
$41,500
+$20,750
Missouri $59,870
$45,180
+$14,690
Montana $57,090
$45,240
+$11,850
Nebraska $62,420
$47,050
+$15,370
Nevada $78,470
$40,120
+$38,350
New Hampshire $78,260
$42,600
+$35,660
New Jersey $82,690
$49,730
+$32,960
New Mexico $65,930
$48,240
+$17,690
New York $73,070
$47,960
+$25,110
North Carolina $63,280
$45,890
+$17,390
North Dakota $62,860
$63,050
$-190
Ohio $63,610
$42,620
+$20,990
Oklahoma $56,120
$38,260
+$17,860
Oregon $84,350
$54,970
+$29,380
Pennsylvania $61,900
$48,650
+$13,250
Rhode Island $75,390
$47,020
+$28,370
South Carolina $60,840
$35,990
+$24,850
South Dakota $57,510
$49,350
+$8,160
Tennessee $61,240
$46,060
+$15,180
Texas $69,990
$49,990
+$20,000
Utah $78,150
$43,900
+$34,250
Vermont $81,140
$50,030
+$31,110
Virginia $66,550
$47,530
+$19,020
Washington $78,570
$58,050
+$20,520
West Virginia $60,140
$48,050
+$12,090
Wisconsin $66,910
$46,530
+$20,380
Wyoming $62,260
$67,640
$-5,380

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Healthcare Social Workers vs Rehabilitation Counselors salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Healthcare Social Workers or Rehabilitation Counselors?
On average across all states, a Healthcare Social Workers earns more than a Rehabilitation Counselors. The national median salary difference is $20,458 (42.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Healthcare Social Workers earn more than a Rehabilitation Counselors?
A Healthcare Social Workers earns a higher median salary than a Rehabilitation Counselors in 49 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Rehabilitation Counselors pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Healthcare Social Workers vs Rehabilitation Counselors?
The national median salary for a Healthcare Social Workers is $68,608 per year, compared to $48,149 for a Rehabilitation Counselors, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Healthcare Social Workers or Rehabilitation Counselors?
There are more people employed as Healthcare Social Workers. BLS reports approximately 187,650 Healthcare Social Workers positions and 94,210 Rehabilitation Counselors positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Healthcare Social Workers or Rehabilitation Counselors?
Both Healthcare Social Workers and Rehabilitation Counselors are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy