Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Preparation in rehabilitation and therapeutic professions encompasses a broad range of specialized disciplines focused on restoring function, enhancing quality of life, and supporting individuals through physical, cognitive, and emotional recovery. This interdisciplinary field integrates clinical practice, evidence-based techniques, and patient-centered care to address diverse health challenges across the lifespan.
- Physical Rehabilitation: The science and practice of restoring mobility, strength, and physical function following injury, illness, or surgical intervention through tailored exercise, manual therapy, and assistive technologies.
- Occupational Therapy: Strategies to improve daily living and work-related skills for individuals with physical, developmental, or cognitive impairments, emphasizing independence and adaptive techniques.
- Speech-Language Pathology: Assessment and treatment of communication disorders, swallowing difficulties, and cognitive-communication challenges across age groups and clinical settings.
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Interventions designed to support mental health recovery, social integration, and functional independence for individuals with psychiatric conditions or trauma-related disorders.
- Assistive Technology Integration: Application of devices, software, and environmental modifications to enhance accessibility, autonomy, and participation in personal, educational, and professional environments.
- Neurological Rehabilitation: Specialized approaches for individuals recovering from stroke, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative conditions, focusing on motor control, sensory processing, and adaptive strategies.
- Rehabilitation Counseling: Support services that help individuals with disabilities navigate personal, vocational, and social challenges, promoting empowerment and long-term life goals.
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Therapists, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 249,040 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Therapists, All Other 29-1129 | $65,010 | $38,840 - $120,050 | 19,320 | $31.26 |
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $135,510 in Washington—a 182% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, District of Columbia, and Arkansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 249,040 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 49 institutions offering Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions is found at Florida International University (FIU) (119 graduates), Rutgers University, New Brunswick (63 graduates), Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (53 graduates), Montana State University Billings (MSU Billings) (40 graduates), and Alabama State University (ASU) (28 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 621 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
|
119 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
63 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
53 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Montana State University Billings (MSU Billings) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
40 | Billings, Montana | Public | msubillings.edu |
| Alabama State University (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Montgomery, Alabama | Public | alasu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Abington, Pennsylvania | Public | abington.psu.edu |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | Princess Anne, Maryland | Public | wwwcp.umes.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAB) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | esu.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Associate's
|
14 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
13 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Salve Regina University |
Master's
|
13 | Newport, Rhode Island | Private | salve.edu |
| Salus University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
12 | Elkins Park, Pennsylvania | Private | salus.edu |
| Coppin State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
11 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | coppin.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Master's
|
10 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Reading, Pennsylvania | Public | berks.psu.edu |
| Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi) |
Associate's
|
9 | North Hollywood, California | Private | sochi.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| South Carolina State University (SCSU) |
Master's
|
8 | Orangeburg, South Carolina | Public | scsu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Public | lehighvalley.psu.edu |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | bluegrass.kctcs.edu |
| Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | web.musc.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Hazleton, Pennsylvania | Public | hazleton.psu.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAPB) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | Public | uapb.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Middlesex College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Edison, New Jersey | Public | middlesexcollege.edu |
| Drexel University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Langston University (LU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Langston, Oklahoma | Public | langston.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Dallas, Pennsylvania | Public | wilkesbarre.psu.edu |
| Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | North Chicago, Illinois | Private | rosalindfranklin.edu |
| Iowa Lakes Community College |
Associate's
|
2 | Estherville, Iowa | Public | iowalakes.edu |
| Springfield College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | springfield.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Master's
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | commonwealthu.edu |
| Rowan College of South Jersey |
Associate's
|
1 | Vineland, New Jersey | Public | rcsj.edu |
| Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Branchburg, New Jersey | Public | raritanval.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
|
1 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Central Wyoming College (CWC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Riverton, Wyoming | Public | cwc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs
How much can I earn with a Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degree?
Salaries for Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Therapists, All Other earn around $65,010. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $135,510 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 249,040 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs?
Currently 49 accredited institutions offer Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Florida International University (FIU) (119 graduates), Rutgers University, New Brunswick (63 graduates), and Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (53 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,528 in 2010 to a peak of 943 in 2020, before declining slightly to 621 in 2023-24. This represents a 59% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Therapists, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 249,040 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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