Rehabilitation Counselors Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $50,400 +9.3% vs national
Median hourly $24.23
10th percentile $36,140
90th percentile $63,490
Employed locally 170
National median $46,110

Compare Rehabilitation Counselors salary & buying power

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Rehabilitation Counselors
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,140
    25th
    $42,340
    50th (median)
    $50,400
    75th
    $53,620
    90th
    $63,490

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Rehabilitation Counselors salary vs area income 46% Median Rehabilitation Counselors salary is 54% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Rehabilitation Counselors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $83,370
    Alaska $82,400
    District of Columbia $74,410
    Reno, NV $73,510
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $69,740
    Johnstown, PA $69,080

    Nearby metros — Rehabilitation Counselors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Utica-Rome, NY $56,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $56,760
    Tuscaloosa, AL $51,720
    Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $50,410
    Lancaster, PA $49,850
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $49,320

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$83,300
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$58,310
    Social and Human Service Assistants$51,590
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$61,310
    Healthcare Social Workers$93,230
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$61,910

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Rehabilitation Counselors make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Rehabilitation Counselors in Santa Cruz, CA is $24.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.33 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Rehabilitation Counselors salaries?

    The median Rehabilitation Counselors salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 9.3% above the national median of $46,110. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Rehabilitation Counselors in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Rehabilitation Counselors (10th percentile) earn around $36,140 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,340.