Rehabilitation Counselor salary in North Carolina
Rehabilitation Counselors in North Carolina earn a median of $45,890 a year ($22.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,820 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,600 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $46,850. North Carolina ranks 35th of 51 states for rehabilitation counselors pay. There are 0.77 rehabilitation counselors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,010, close to the median.
Pay range for rehabilitation counselors in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,440 | $14.64 |
| 25th percentile | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Median | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| 75th percentile | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,600 | $28.66 |
| Average (mean) | $45,010 | $21.64 |
Half of rehabilitation counselors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,824.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,912.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,765 |
| Weekly | $882.50 |
| Hourly | $22.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Rehabilitation Counselor salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $49,010 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $48,290 | 820 |
| Greenville, NC | $48,040 | 100 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $47,370 | 50 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $46,670 | 200 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $45,890 | 450 |
| Wilmington, NC | $45,660 | 110 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $45,040 | 530 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $44,970 | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,050 | 210 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $43,280 | 100 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $43,130 | 120 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $42,500 | 150 |
| Asheville, NC | $39,670 | 190 |
| Burlington, NC | $31,520 | 60 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $29,900 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for rehabilitation counselors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $67,640 |
| North Dakota | $63,050 |
| Alaska | $61,590 |
| Kentucky | $58,540 |
| Washington | $58,050 |
| Connecticut | $56,340 |
| Georgia | $55,000 |
| Oregon | $54,970 |
| Idaho | $54,550 |
| Alabama | $54,040 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $57,630 | $27.71 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $42,850 | $20.60 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $58,210 | $27.98 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $54,820 | $26.36 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $62,220 | $29.91 |
| Health Education Specialist | $58,080 | $27.92 |
| Community Health Worker | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $63,490 | $30.52 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Counselors, All Other | $52,280 | $25.14 |
| Clergy | $59,600 | $28.65 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1015. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rehabilitation counselor make in North Carolina?
The median salary for rehabilitation counselors in North Carolina is $45,890 a year, or $22.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rehabilitation counselors make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of rehabilitation counselors in North Carolina earn at least $59,600 a year. The top 25% earn $50,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for rehabilitation counselors in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,440 a year, and a quarter of rehabilitation counselors earn $35,980 or less.
How many rehabilitation counselors work in North Carolina?
About 3,820 rehabilitation counselors are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.