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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$95K - $105K *

Lead a dynamic sales team to drive growth in a defined region, identifying new opportunities and securing contracts. Utilize your expertise in product demonstrations and customer engagement to achieve...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$101K - $128K *

Drive impactful IT solutions through design, development, and support. Leverage your expertise to lead complex projects, mentor staff, and optimize systems that are critical to operational success...

Massachusetts, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$72K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading initiatives that enhance behavioral health quality and reduce costs. Collaborate with diverse teams to implement innovative solutions, optimize provider performance, and im...

Phoenix, AZRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$88K - $105K *

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1 week ago

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

$170K - $195K *

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Lynbrook, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $150K *

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Seattle, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$77K - $121K *

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United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$83K - $145K *

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United StatesRemote

2 days ago

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$112K - $193K *

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Eden Prairie, MNRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$69K - $129K *

Manage and resolve complex workers' compensation claims through effective investigation and negotiation. Ensure compliance with state laws while delivering excellent customer service, promoting timely...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $192K *

Join a dynamic team to drive commercial performance and enhance patient access. Engage healthcare providers, support product launches, and collaborate with cross-functional partners to achieve sales g...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $195K *

Empower individuals by delivering evidence-based psychiatric care and ensuring access to mental health services. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to enhance patient outcomes while maintaining...

Boise, IDRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$74K - $124K *

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2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$102K - $133K *

Unlock potential by optimizing clinical systems and driving informatics initiatives. This role combines strategy with hands-on support across EHR applications, fostering collaboration to enhance workf...

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Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $140K *

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Boston, MARemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$198K - $297K *

Engage in a dynamic role that empowers team collaboration and drives results in a leading organization recognized for innovation and excellence in performance, fostering an environment of growth and p...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Drive the operations of case management with a focus on quality service and leadership. Leverage your clinical experience and supervisory skills to enhance team performance, ensuring efficient managem...

Downers Grove, ILRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$130K - $260K *

Reimagine the future of healthcare by providing legal expertise in PBM client contracting. Collaborate with diverse teams to negotiate agreements and navigate regulatory challenges, ensuring complianc...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$104K - $190K *

Transform healthcare by collaborating on the design, implementation, and support of pharmacy applications. Mentor IT staff while ensuring optimal functionality and workflow solutions in a dynamic remo...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI initiatives, driving strategic development and implementation across the Health Systems and Government Services unit to enhance operational excellence and cu...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$94K - $164K *

Empower healthcare outcomes by engaging in data analytics and reporting. This senior role manages complex datasets, collaborates with cross-functional teams, and creates dashboards to enhance operatio...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$72K - $121K *

Join a team that's dedicated to promoting compliance while leading project initiatives. Collaborate across departments as a functional expert to establish policies and monitor compliance with regulato...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$78K - $107K *

Oversee and enhance care management for behavioral health, guiding teams of professionals in assessing and addressing members' needs. Drive strategies for effective coordination and resource utilizati...

South Carolina, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $120K *

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United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on delivering impactful mental health services. This role involves managing a diverse caseload of clients, utilizing evidence-based approaches, and collabo...

Blair, NERemote

4 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.