Rehabilitation Aide: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared to support therapeutic teams in clinical and community settings, this program equips students with the foundational knowledge and practical abilities needed to contribute effectively to rehabilitation care. Focused on enhancing patient recovery and functional independence, the curriculum emphasizes collaboration, ethical practice, and evidence-based support across diverse care environments.
- Roles and responsibilities of rehabilitation providers: Explores the professional scope, ethical standards, and collaborative dynamics among occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other healthcare specialists within rehabilitation teams.
- Basic human body function: Provides a foundational understanding of anatomy, physiology, and neurology relevant to movement, communication, and sensory processing in rehabilitation contexts.
- Disabling conditions: Covers common physical, cognitive, and developmental disorders that impact daily functioning, including their causes, progression, and implications for therapeutic intervention.
- Therapeutic skills: Trains students in the safe and effective application of standardized, non-clinical techniques used to support patient progress under direct supervision.
- Client management: Develops competencies in organizing patient schedules, maintaining records, preparing treatment spaces, and contributing to individualized care planning.
- Communication skills: Enhances verbal and non-verbal communication techniques essential for building rapport with clients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
Rehabilitation Aide Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Rehabilitation Aide Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Rehabilitation Aide degrees, including Healthcare Support Workers, All Other, Occupational Therapy Aides and Physical Therapist Aides. 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 152,660 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other 31-9099 | $46,050 | $32,450 - $68,180 | 103,650 | $22.14 |
| Occupational Therapy Aides 31-2012 | $37,370 | $27,970 - $65,580 | 5,000 | $17.97 |
| Physical Therapist Aides 31-2022 | $34,520 | $24,960 - $46,930 | 44,010 | $16.59 |
Rehabilitation Aide Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $28,223 in Louisiana to $53,870 in Alaska—a 91% difference. The highest-paying states include Alaska, North Carolina, and New Mexico. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 152,660 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 Aide by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 10 institutions offering Rehabilitation Aide 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 Aide is found at Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) (51 graduates), Moore Norman Technology Center (MNTC) (32 graduates), The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP), Southwest Houston (28 graduates), Carrington College, Mesa (13 graduates), and Cowley County Community College (12 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 158 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) |
Other Award
|
51 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsatech.edu |
| Moore Norman Technology Center (MNTC) |
Other Award
|
32 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | mntc.edu |
| The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
28 | Houston, Texas | Private | chcp.edu |
| Carrington College |
Other Award
|
13 | Mesa, Arizona | Private | carrington.edu |
| Cowley County Community College |
Residency
|
12 | Arkansas City, Kansas | Public | cowley.edu |
| Carrington College |
Other Award
|
8 | Tucson, Arizona | Private | carrington.edu |
| Gordon Cooper Technology Center (GCTC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Public | gctech.edu |
| Southwest Technology Center |
Other Award
|
4 | Altus, Oklahoma | Public | swtech.edu |
| High Plains Technology Center (HPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Woodward, Oklahoma | Public | hptc.edu |
| Central Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Drumright, Oklahoma | Public | centraltech.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Rehabilitation Aide programs
How much can I earn with a Rehabilitation Aide degree?
Salaries for Rehabilitation Aide graduates vary by role and location. Healthcare Support Workers, All Other earn a median of $46,050 annually, while Occupational Therapy Aides earn around $37,370. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alaska average $53,870 compared to $28,223 in Louisiana. Approximately 152,660 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 Aide programs?
Currently 10 accredited institutions offer Rehabilitation Aide degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) (51 graduates), Moore Norman Technology Center (MNTC) (32 graduates), and The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP), Southwest Houston (28 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 Aide growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 14 in 2010 to 158 in 2023-24. This represents a 1,029% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Aide degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Healthcare Support Workers, All Other, Occupational Therapy Aides, and Physical Therapist Aides. Related occupations employ approximately 152,660 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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