Rehabilitation graduates earn $55,792 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 17.9%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Health Specialties Teachers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Rehabilitation as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Health and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Rehabilitation is a focused area of study within Health. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $55,792 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 609 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 29,934 students complete it each year, most walking away with a certificate. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$34,345
Median Earnings · 4yr
$55,792
Colleges Offering
609
Graduates / Year
29,934
Avg Net Price / yr
$26,448
How Much Do Rehabilitation Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Rehabilitation, a typical graduate earns $55,792, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $40,044 and $73,848, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $34,345 at one year out to $55,792 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$55,792
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$54,558
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Rehabilitation graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.
$40,04425th pct.
$55,792Median
$73,84875th pct.
Understanding the Cost vs. Return
At median 4-year earnings of $55,792 and an estimated $105,792 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 4.1 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.
Based on outcomes from 281 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 29,934 students who complete Rehabilitation programs each year, the majority (50%) earn a certificate degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
50%27%
Certificate50%
Master's27%
Bachelor's14%
What Can You Do With a Rehabilitation Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Rehabilitation graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Health Specialties Teachers pay the most at $107,310/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. Use therapeutic techniques, adapt the individual's environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present barriers to the individual.
Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
Complete and maintain necessary records.
Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate persons with disabilities because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.
Service OrientationActive ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessCoordination
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.
Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
Plan, organize, direct, and participate in treatment programs and activities to facilitate patients' rehabilitation, help them integrate into the community, and prevent further medical problems.
Assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.
Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
High school diploma or equivalent1,300 openings/yr11K employed nationally
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisTroubleshootingReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.
Drill and tap holes for rivets, and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices.
Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools required.
Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
Active ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationMonitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities
Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.
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.
Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.
Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
Top Colleges for Rehabilitation
Not sure where to study Rehabilitation? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Rehabilitation graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Health Programs
Rehabilitation is not the only path through Health: 30 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Rehabilitation program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Rehabilitation shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $55,792 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $34,345 at graduation to $55,792 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +17.9% over the next decade, with Health Specialties Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 61,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Rehabilitation Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Rehabilitation graduates earn?
$55,792 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $40,044 and $73,848, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Rehabilitation degree?
$34,345 in the first year out. That grows to $55,792 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Rehabilitation degree?
Health Specialties Teachers are one path, and it pays a median of $107,310 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Rehabilitation program take?
One to two years of full-time study for most Rehabilitation certificates, and some community colleges get you through in a single semester. That makes it one of the fastest ways into the field.
How many colleges offer Rehabilitation?
609 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Rehabilitation degree worth it?
$55,792 median earnings four years out against $26,448 a year in average net price. That is a slow payback, so cost matters more than usual here: a cheaper school changes the answer. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Rehabilitation and Health?
Rehabilitation is the narrower of the two: Health covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Rehabilitation-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Rehabilitation graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Rehabilitation graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Rehabilitation graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Rehabilitation graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +10.1% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Health Specialties Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +17.9%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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