Career comparison
High School Special Education Teacher vs. Rehabilitation Counselor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
High school special education teachers earn more at the median ($74,260 vs. $46,850), while high school special education teachers usually get to work faster (4 years plus licensure of training). High school special education teachers help high school students with disabilities graduate and plan for life after school. Rehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities live independently and find meaningful work.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| High School Special Education Teacher | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $74,260 | $46,850 ($22.52/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,800 – $109,100 | $35,060 – $77,170 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -0.2% (little or no change) | +2.2% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 10,400 | 8,200 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Master's degree |
| Training time | 4 years plus licensure | 6 years (bachelor’s + master’s) |
| Key credential | State special education license | Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) |
| Work setting | Teachers work in high school classrooms, resource rooms and community job sites.. | Rehab counselors work in agency offices, schools, hospitals, community programs and workplaces.. |
What each job does
High School Special Education Teacher
- Teach and co-teach classes
- Write IEPs with transition plans
- Teach life and job skills
- Coordinate work experiences
- Track credits toward graduation
Rehabilitation Counselor
- Assess client strengths and needs
- Develop individualized plans
- Counsel clients on goals and adjustment
- Arrange training and education
- Coordinate accommodations and assistive technology
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, and travel. They sit in different fields, education & childcare and community, social & government services, but share transferable skills such as advocacy and empathy.
Which should you choose?
Choose high school special education teacher if…
- I connect with teenagers
- I care about life after school
- I advocate for students
Choose rehabilitation counselor if…
- I want to help people with disabilities
- I believe in independence
- I like career planning
Still torn? Take the High School Special Education Teacher fit quiz and the Rehabilitation Counselor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, high school special education teacher or rehabilitation counselor?
High School Special Education Teachers earn more at the median: $74,260 versus $46,850 for rehabilitation counselors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
High School Special Education Teachers typically train faster (4 years plus licensure) than rehabilitation counselors (6 years (bachelor’s + master’s)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects rehabilitation counselors to grow +2.2% from 2025–35, compared with -0.2% for high school special education teachers.