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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$300K - $500K *

Join a pioneering team of psychiatrists providing patient-centered care via telehealth. Enjoy flexibility and autonomy while being supported by a robust administrative infrastructure, allowing you to...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $220K *

Engage in comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and treatment, providing medication management and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality patient care in an outpatient setti...

North Carolina, USRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$68K - $113K *

Join a team that's dedicated to transforming disability claims through expert clinical assessments. Collaborate with healthcare providers and utilize your clinical expertise to improve patient outcome...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Innovate clinical quality systems for scalable care delivery, ensuring standards meet payer expectations and driving measurable performance improvements across independent health providers...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $136K *

Unlock potential by providing advanced technical support for business systems. Analyze data, implement solutions, and enhance user experience while ensuring compliance with organizational objectives i...

Raleigh, NCRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$92K - $110K *

Contribute to advancing enterprise Identity, Credential, and Access Management capabilities by providing systems analysis, requirements traceability, and technical documentation support across multipl...

Washington, DCRemote

2 days ago

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

$215K - $408K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing medical management and quality improvement. Collaborate with clinical teams to optimize patient care, support performance initiatives, and drive effective uti...

Georgia, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$215K - $408K *

Lead the charge in enhancing medical management and quality improvement. Drive utilization review, collaborate with providers, and implement performance initiatives to optimize care quality and cost-e...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Champion the management and execution of complex e-discovery projects, collaborating with legal teams to ensure successful outcomes. Oversee multiple projects while mentoring a team, maintaining quali...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$64K - $147K *

Shape the future of healthcare by collaborating with stakeholders to document and analyze business requirements, ensuring innovative solutions and best practices are implemented throughout the project...

Lansing, MIRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$98K - $112K *

Join a dedicated team providing compassionate hospice care across multiple locations. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure quality patient outcomes while adapting to diverse clinical env...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

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

$135K - $180K *

Transform healthcare sales by building strategic relationships within managed care organizations. Drive revenue growth through effective selling and relationship management while maximizing exposure t...

Georgia, USRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$78K - $119K *

Advance your career by investigating complex fraud cases, collaborating with various stakeholders, and developing anti-fraud strategies. Utilize your expertise to analyze evidence, document findings...

Iowa, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$115K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing mental health through remote therapy. As a licensed professional, you'll independently manage cases, addressing clinical and external factors affecting client...

Eudora, KSRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Transform lives by providing telehealth services as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Engage with clients across Tennessee, delivering quality care while contributing to clinical discussions and main...

Knoxville, TNRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Explore a rewarding role as a licensed LCSW, providing telehealth therapy and psychosocial assessments while collaborating with healthcare teams to support clients facing mental health challenges and...

Beaverton, ORRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Help us support clients through mental health challenges by providing therapy, conducting assessments, and connecting them with resources. This remote role requires a proactive approach to client care...

Taos, NMRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Empower clients through telehealth by providing therapy and support for emotional and behavioral challenges. Collaborate on care plans, maintain documentation, and adapt to changing client needs in a...

Yonkers, NYRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Join a dedicated team as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, providing vital telehealth support. Engage with clients through therapy, assessments, and treatment planning, ensuring effective mental heal...

Elizabeth, NJRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Join a dynamic team as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, providing virtual therapy to clients. You'll conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and support adults facing various behavioral health...

Fort Lauderdale, FLRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Engage with clients by delivering solution-focused telehealth care, conducting assessments, and collaborating with a supportive virtual team to enhance community connections and client well-being...

Las Cruces, NMRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Join a dedicated team as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, providing remote telehealth therapy. Support clients through mental health challenges with personalized care, assessment, and treatment plan...

Middletown, DERemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Transform mental health care by providing virtual therapy and support to clients across Hawaii. Assess needs, develop treatment plans, and guide individuals and families through challenges to foster m...

Honolulu, HIRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $230K *

Transform the landscape of immunology by serving as a key field-based expert. Engage with HCPs to foster scientific collaborations while providing educational support for innovative rare disease thera...

Los Angeles, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $110K *

Lead transformative deployments in healthcare by collaborating with executives and stakeholders. Drive operational change, manage complex projects, and enhance staffing strategies across health system...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 days 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.