Our purpose was to identify changes in employment status and earnings after spinal cord injury (SCI). Interview data were collected collaboratively at 3 centers designated as SCI Model Systems. The employment rate substantially decreased from 83.3% at injury to 24.5% at follow-up (average of 3.8 years post injury). There were no significant differences in conditional earnings (earnings among those employed) between the 2 times of measurement. However, there was a significant decrease in unconditional earnings (allocating $0 for those unemployed). Those who returned to their preinjury employer (over 60%) reported greater conditional earnings. SCI presents a significant barrier to vocational functioning.

employment, outcomes research, spinal cord injury, vocational rehabilitation
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