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

$115K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering high-quality telehealth counseling. As a Virginia LPC, you'll manage caseloads, conduct evaluations, and provide patient-centered therapy, all while thriving...

Virginia Beach, VARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Support clients through effective telehealth counseling while developing personalized treatment plans and maintaining ethical standards in a fully remote setting with structured hours...

Portland, ORRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$142K - $177K *

Champion innovative risk adjustment solutions by leveraging deep expertise to enhance payer and provider strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful presentations and driv...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Advance your career by providing telehealth counseling to clients facing emotional challenges. Manage appointments, conduct evaluations, and deliver tailored therapy in a supportive remote environment...

Leesburg, VARemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Transform lives as you provide compassionate counseling to clients facing anxiety, depression, and life changes. Enjoy a full-time remote role with a focus on client care during regular weekday hours...

Jackson, MSRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Empower clients through telehealth by providing expert counseling for mental health challenges. Utilize your clinical skills to guide therapy, establish treatment goals, and manage cases independently...

New Orleans, LARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Empower individuals by delivering remote mental health counseling, evaluating needs, and guiding therapy for improved well-being. Shape the future of mental health support through compassionate care a...

Warren, MIRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Elevate your career by providing remote counseling to clients facing various challenges. This full-time role allows you to manage your appointments and deliver impactful support while adhering to prof...

Horn Lake, MSRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Help us provide essential mental health support through remote counseling. You'll manage client cases, conduct assessments, and deliver ongoing therapy, ensuring comprehensive care and coordination of...

Kenner, LARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Unlock potential by delivering impactful virtual therapy sessions for clients. Join a dedicated team that values a consistent schedule and allows you to focus on client care while maintaining full cli...

West Virginia, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Contribute to clients' mental health by providing remote therapy services, crafting tailored treatment plans and offering support for emotional challenges. Engage with clients through telehealth, ensu...

Jackson, MSRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Engage in meaningful virtual counseling sessions as an LPC, helping clients navigate mental health challenges with tailored support and practical strategies, ensuring their progress and well-being...

Little Rock, ARRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to empowering clients through telehealth as you provide expert counseling. This full-time remote role focuses on assessing needs, creating care plans, and supporting clien...

New Orleans, LARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Reimagine mental health care by providing telehealth counseling support to diverse clients. In this role, you will directly contribute to improving client well-being through therapeutic sessions and t...

Houston, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in delivering innovative telehealth psychotherapy for older adults. Collaborate within a supportive team while maintaining your own practice schedule, ensuring meaningful connections w...

Connecticut, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$68K - $115K *

Help us drive successful claim resolutions by independently managing complex cases while providing top-notch service to policyholders and collaborating with legal counsel to achieve strategic outcomes...

Pleasanton, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$75K - $92K *

Transform research funding processes by managing grant activities, ensuring compliance, and providing expert guidance to departments. Collaborate with teams to develop budgets and navigate proposal su...

Boston, MARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$180K - $215K *

Transform outpatient psychiatric care by providing remote, patient-centered services. Gain autonomy with flexible scheduling and low administrative workload while ensuring comprehensive mental health...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by investigating and managing complex Workers Compensation claims. Collaborate with defense counsel, ensure accurate settlements, and mentor new hires while employing independent judg...

Brea, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Optimize clinical research processes by conducting comprehensive monitoring visits, ensuring adherence to quality standards, and facilitating effective communication among project teams and sites acro...

Toronto, ONRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $160K *

Play a key role in shaping legal strategies across commercial, compliance, and IP domains. Collaborate with teams to navigate complex contracts and ensure regulatory compliance while supporting innova...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$74K - $118K *

Elevate compliance standards by leading oversight initiatives, managing complex projects, and collaborating across teams to ensure regulatory adherence and effective governance in a dynamic environmen...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Transform staff well-being by leading strategic initiatives that enhance resilience and psychosocial support across diverse, high-stress environments, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$75K - $135K *

Drive quality care management by leading a dedicated team, ensuring compliance, and enhancing member experiences through effective supervision and support. Engage in hands-on case management while fos...

Iowa, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $95K *

Lead the clinical review and resolution of psychiatric complaints, enhancing care quality across the network. Collaborate with clinical teams, investigate cases, and provide direct patient care, ensur...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.