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.

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$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 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$112K - $141K *

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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 *

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San Francisco, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

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Seattle, WARemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $100K *

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Kansas, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$69K - $101K *

Join us to enhance member health outcomes through holistic care management, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support individuals with complex needs. Utilize assessments and interventions...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$215K - $408K *

Transform healthcare delivery by leading medical management and quality initiatives. Collaborate with clinical teams to enhance patient outcomes and drive cost-effective care while ensuring compliance...

Missouri, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$83K - $145K *

Innovate individualized speech and language treatment plans, collaborating with clinical teams to deliver data-driven therapy that enhances communication and functional skills for diverse clients...

Southfield, MIRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $215K *

Champion clinical excellence and patient access by providing remote, outpatient psychiatric care. Enjoy autonomy in your practice while focusing on lower to moderate acuity populations with comprehens...

Oregon, USRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $95K *

Innovate clinical system implementations by ensuring seamless integration of technologies and workflows. Collaborate with clinical and technical teams to enhance patient care and operational efficienc...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$72K - $130K *

Unlock your potential as you collaborate with diverse teams to drive healthcare solutions. Leverage AI tools and project management expertise to enhance client outcomes while enjoying the flexibility...

Eden Prairie, MNRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$74K - $104K *

Engage your skills as a Nurse Care Manager, facilitating integrated care for members. Collaborate with a diverse team and empower patients through complex health journeys via telephonic support, ensur...

Redding, CARemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$74K - $104K *

Elevate care management by delivering compassionate support through telephonic interactions, guiding members through complex health journeys. Collaborate with a diverse clinical team to ensure holisti...

Modesto, CARemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$70K - $142K *

Lead the charge in enhancing academic operations and faculty performance, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards while fostering student success through strategic curriculum development and...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$115K - $125K *

Join a team that's focused on building and enhancing relationships with large managed care accounts. Utilize your expertise in account management to drive customer satisfaction, explore upselling oppo...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$75K - $135K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing care for high-acuity populations. You'll assess, coordinate, and optimize personalized care plans while collaborating with healthcare providers to ensure qual...

New York, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $153K *

Lead complex auto and property subrogation litigation, managing cases from investigation to resolution. Collaborate with claims teams, develop recovery strategies, and represent the company in court t...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$200K - $250K *

Accelerate progress at our rapidly growing segment by leading sales efforts into child welfare and behavioral health markets. Build relationships, drive pipeline development, and execute sales strateg...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$90K - $110K *

Deliver high-quality virtual psychotherapy for older adults, crafting personalized treatment plans while enjoying flexible scheduling, administrative support, and a collaborative community to thrive i...

Iowa, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Engage in impactful telehealth counseling, providing therapy and support for clients with mental health concerns. Utilize your expertise to create individualized treatment plans and facilitate virtual...

Conway, ARRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Champion mental wellness by providing remote therapy to clients across Mississippi. Utilize your expertise to address diverse mental health concerns, ensuring effective communication and clinical judg...

Waveland, MSRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Champion exceptional mental health care by delivering evidence-based therapy to low-acuity clients. Leverage administrative support to focus on meaningful clinical interactions and enhance accessibili...

Memphis, TNRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Engage a dynamic team to drive sales growth by coordinating in-field activities, implementing strategic plans, and fostering collaboration to achieve targets while developing team capabilities and mar...

New London, CTRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.