Explore Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs

Substance abuse counselors help people address addiction and substance use disorders through assessment, treatment planning, counseling, and ongoing recovery support. On Ladders, explore vetted opportunities for experienced professionals, including roles in behavioral health organizations, hospitals, treatment centers, and community-based programs. Many listings target positions paying $100,000 or more, particularly for senior clinicians, program leaders, and specialized practitioners.

What Substance Abuse Counselors Do

Responsibilities vary by setting and credentials, but may include evaluating clients, developing individualized care plans, conducting individual or group counseling, coordinating referrals, documenting progress, and supporting relapse prevention. Counselors often collaborate with physicians, therapists, social workers, and families to help clients navigate recovery.

Common Job Titles and Career Paths

Related titles include addiction counselor, substance use disorder counselor, clinical counselor, behavioral health therapist, recovery services manager, and addiction treatment program director. With experience and advanced qualifications, professionals may move into clinical supervision, program management, or organizational leadership.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek strong counseling and communication skills, knowledge of evidence-based treatment approaches, sound clinical judgment, and experience with treatment documentation and care coordination. Licensing and certification requirements vary by state and employer. Some roles require a master’s degree, independent clinical licensure, or specialized credentials, while others accept different combinations of education and supervised experience.

Find Substance Abuse Counselor Roles on Ladders

Use Ladders to explore vetted professional jobs with compensation of $100,000 or more. Compare opportunities by seniority, location, employer, and responsibilities to identify roles that fit your experience and career goals. Review each listing carefully for its salary range, credential requirements, and work setting.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$72K - $90K *

Join a team that's dedicated to providing high-quality telehealth therapy for older adults. Enjoy flexible scheduling, comprehensive support, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in patient...

California, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $100K *

Develop your career with flexible opportunities as a licensed clinical psychologist. Provide dedicated support to older adults through evidence-based therapy in a collaborative, remote setting. Contro...

Arkansas, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $105K *

Unlock potential by supporting compensation programs through analysis, reporting, and administration. Collaborate with HR and finance teams to ensure accurate employee compensation data and streamline...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$72K - $90K *

Deliver high-quality teletherapy to older adults, providing personalized care in a supported team environment. Enjoy flexible scheduling, competitive pay, and professional growth opportunities while c...

California, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $100K *

Elevate your practice by providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy to older adults in a fully remote, flexible setting. Enjoy robust support, self-managed schedules, and a collaborative team env...

South Carolina, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$73K - $87K *

Accelerate student success by providing personalized support and coaching throughout the BSN program. Engage with diverse learners to enhance academic skills, foster persistence, and ensure effective...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$73K - $110K *

Drive coding quality and compliance by analyzing data, supporting audits, and enhancing documentation practices. Collaborate with teams to ensure accurate coding and adherence to regulatory standards...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $100K *

Unlock potential by delivering high-quality psychotherapy to older adults in a flexible, supportive, remote setting. Collaborate with a dedicated team and utilize modern tools to enhance patient care...

Oklahoma, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$114K - $120K *

Empower healthcare by providing expert clinical consultation on medication requests, ensuring safety and efficacy while collaborating with providers to enhance patient care and optimize therapy outcom...

Philadelphia, PARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Elevate mental health care by providing personalized psychotherapy to older adults. Enjoy the flexibility of a remote setup, collaborate with a supportive team, and deliver impactful treatment plans t...

West Virginia, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$167K - $229K *

Lead the charge in transforming clinical decision-making strategies within health insurance, ensuring compliance and quality in medical reviews while advancing innovation in medical management and cro...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $200K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of Revenue Recovery by leading teams to optimize clinical coding and compliance. Drive operational excellence, enhance client satisfaction, and achieve financial t...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$107K - $166K *

Empower healthcare engagement by connecting with providers through innovative tools, enhancing patient care and experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive insights and strategic dec...

Springfield, OHRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K *

Empower clients by managing complex care needs through remote case management, ensuring access to high-quality treatment and support. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance client engagem...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $100K *

Engage in delivering high-quality, evidence-based psychotherapy to older adults, leveraging supportive telehealth tools and a collaborative team environment while setting your own flexible schedule...

New Mexico, USRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$200K - $250K *

Pioneer virtual therapy, offering tailored sessions for individuals, couples, and families. Enjoy flexible hours and a supportive, tech-savvy environment while prioritizing your well-being and profess...

Sacramento, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $200K *

Empower children and families by delivering remote ABA services, conducting assessments, and developing tailored treatment plans while supervising behavior technicians and collaborating with caregiver...

Atlanta, GARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $100K *

Champion high-quality mental healthcare for older adults through flexible, remote psychotherapy. Deliver personalized treatment plans as part of a collaborative team while enjoying dedicated support a...

Nebraska, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$67K - $113K *

Advance our security posture by managing access controls and identity solutions, ensuring data integrity and compliance across cloud and on-premises environments, while effectively addressing security...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$186K - $278K *

Lead strategic initiatives in healthcare economics, collaborating with national accounts to enhance patient outcomes and drive market access. Foster relationships with key stakeholders while executing...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$210K - $260K *

Join a fast-paced team of medical professionals to evaluate and enhance service appropriateness through evidence-based guidelines, impacting quality patient outcomes across multiple specialties while...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$112K - $141K *

Champion innovative legal solutions for healthcare stakeholders, advising on corporate, regulatory, and operational matters. Engage in healthcare transactions, compliance, and health data commercializ...

St. Petersburg, FLRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Drive impactful healthcare decisions by leveraging real-world data expertise. Collaborate with clients to evaluate and analyze RWD for regulatory assessments, ensuring high-quality evidence generation...

Arlington, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $100K *

Join a team that's dedicated to providing high-quality teletherapy for older adults. Enjoy a flexible schedule, supportive administration, and the opportunity to build a rewarding clinical practice wi...

Tennessee, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of litigation support services. Join a dynamic team dedicated to client success, driving sales strategies, and enhancing customer satisfaction while achieving pers...

San Francisco, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a substance abuse counselor do?question toggle

    A substance abuse counselor assesses clients’ needs, supports treatment planning, provides individual or group counseling, tracks progress, and helps clients build strategies for recovery. Duties depend on the role, employer, and credentials.

  • What qualifications are needed for substance abuse counselor jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary by state and employer. Jobs may call for relevant education, supervised clinical experience, state licensure or certification, and training in addiction treatment. Senior or independently licensed roles may require a graduate degree and advanced credentials.

  • Can substance abuse counselors earn $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Some experienced substance abuse counselors and related professionals earn $100,000 or more, especially in senior clinical, supervisory, specialized, or program leadership positions. Compensation depends on location, qualifications, employer, and scope of responsibility.

  • Where do substance abuse counselors work?question toggle

    They work in settings such as addiction treatment centers, hospitals, behavioral health clinics, community organizations, and other recovery or social service programs.

  • What are common career paths for substance abuse counselors?question toggle

    Career paths can include clinical specialization, independent counseling, clinical supervision, treatment program management, and behavioral health leadership. Advancement often depends on experience, education, and applicable licensure.