Skip to content

Prototype—not an official NYS Department of Labor service

Start over

Rehabilitation Counselors

The short answer

Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 404 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.

How much AI could touch this job

Middleband 3 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about half of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 65% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. 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.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  2. Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. 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.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Monitor and record clients' progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Participate in job development and placement programs, contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating the success of placements.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Collaborate with clients' families to implement rehabilitation plans, such as behavioral, residential, social, or employment goals.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Develop and maintain relationships with community referral sources, such as schools or community groups.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Maintain close contact with clients during job training and placements to resolve problems and evaluate placement adequacy.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Arrange for on-site job coaching or assistive devices, such as specially equipped wheelchairs, to help clients adapt to work or school environments.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Child, Family, and School Social Workers

    Very similar work
    +36% pay3,262 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 36% more—$66,924 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Psychology
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Active Listening

    New skills to build

    • Negotiation
  • Healthcare Social Workers

    Very similar work
    +52% pay2,958 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 52% more—$75,113 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a master's degree, plus internship/residency.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Psychology
    • Active Listening

    New skills to build

    • Sociology and Anthropology
    • Philosophy and Theology
  • Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

    Very similar work
    +49% pay2,866 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 49% more—$73,617 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a master's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Education and Training
    • Active Listening
    • Oral Comprehension

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

    Very similar work
    +66% pay1,883 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 66% more—$81,604 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a master's degree, plus internship/residency.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Psychology
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Active Listening

    New skills to build

    • Oral Comprehension
    • Information Ordering
  • Social and Human Service Assistants

    Similar work
    slightly less pay6,275 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$48,510 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Psychology
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Active Listening

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Community Health Workers

    Similar work
    +21% pay1,107 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 21% more—$59,760 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Education and Training
    • Active Listening
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Biology
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Finger Dexterity
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Control Precision
  • Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

    Similar work
    +139% pay598 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 139% more—$117,602 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree, plus internship/residency.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Psychology
    • Education and Training
    • Active Listening

    New skills to build

    • Oral Expression
    • Biology
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Philosophy and Theology
  • Psychiatric Aides

    Similar work
    +4% pay846 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 4% more—$51,491 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Psychology
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression

    New skills to build

    • Static Strength
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Trunk Strength
    • Reaction Time
    • Response Orientation
  • Occupational Therapists

    Similar work
    +101% pay877 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 101% more—$99,085 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a master's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Psychology
    • Education and Training
    • Oral Expression

    New skills to build

    • Biology
    • Instructing
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Occupational Therapy Aides

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay31 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays slightly less—$47,387 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Psychology
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • English Language
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Static Strength
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Finger Dexterity
  • Psychiatric Technicians

    Somewhat similar work
    +21% pay214 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 21% more—$59,704 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, with less than 5 years of experience, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Psychology
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Active Listening

    New skills to build

    • Static Strength
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • Recreational Therapists

    Somewhat similar work
    +37% pay138 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 37% more—$67,350 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Psychology
    • Education and Training
    • Social Perceptiveness

    New skills to build

    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Gross Body Coordination
    • Fine Arts
    • Static Strength
  • Social and Community Service Managers

    Somewhat similar work
    +98% pay2,105 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 98% more—$97,590 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Psychology
    • Education and Training
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Therapy and Counseling

    New skills to build

    • Administration and Management
    • Management of Personnel Resources
    • Management of Financial Resources
    • Mathematics
    • Number Facility
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants

    Somewhat similar work
    +43% pay521 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 43% more—$70,270 vs your $49,299 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Psychology
    • Education and Training
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Static Strength
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Finger Dexterity