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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$113K - $139K *

Unlock potential by designing and developing advanced data models and ETL specifications. Collaborate on system architecture and standards to enhance data solutions in a dynamic environment, while coo...

Oregon, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$78K - $120K *

Elevate client success by driving adoption of fraud solutions, enhancing workflows, and delivering measurable outcomes for insurance carriers. Collaborate with stakeholders to optimize fraud detection...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $250K *

Make your mark at the forefront of clinical operations, driving global studies from strategy to execution while ensuring operational integration across teams and vendors for successful Phase 3 program...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $190K *

Lead operational excellence in clinical trial budget amendments, overseeing workflows, negotiations, and team performance. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance efficiency and resolve complex finan...

Los Angeles, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Transform healthcare billing by leading a dedicated Hospital Billing Claims team, enhancing claims accuracy, regulatory compliance, and team performance while collaborating with partners to deliver op...

Pittsburgh, PARemote

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in optimizing hospital billing processes by guiding a skilled claims team. Drive improvements in claims management, regulatory updates, and collaboration with professional billing to e...

Pittsburgh, PARemote

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$88K - $140K *

Shape the future of public service by leading technology consulting projects that enhance operational efficiency and strategic goals for state and local agencies, ensuring compliance and delivering im...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$160K - $192K *

Transform healthcare engagement by driving commercial performance and building strong relationships with providers. Collaborate cross-functionally to support product launches and ensure patient access...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$85K - $115K *

Join a team that's transforming research grant administration by managing proposals, budgets, and compliance. Provide expert guidance to ensure successful submissions and navigate complex funding proc...

Cambridge, MARemote

2 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Engage with pharmaceutical partners to drive revenue through AI-driven solutions. Build strategic relationships and develop account plans while collaborating across teams. Utilize your sales expertise...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $110K *

Manage contract reviews and negotiations, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline processes and enhance contract performance while providing expe...

Ontario, CARemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$195K - $256K *

Elevate clinical quality assurance by designing and executing strategies for compliance, audit management, and oversight of global clinical operations. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure adherenc...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Join our team to drive awareness and adoption of an AI-powered assay in oncology. Collaborate with healthcare providers to enhance patient care through education and strategic engagement, ensuring opt...

Missouri, USRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K - $97K *

Shape the future of healthcare by conducting clinical case reviews and enhancing product quality for an AI-driven clinical platform. Collaborate with care teams to ensure accurate alert functionality...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K - $110K *

Lead client relationships in healthcare services, ensuring satisfaction and efficient communication. Oversee account management, resolve issues, and collaborate with teams to enhance service delivery...

Jacksonville, FLRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's leading Medicaid programs and initiatives, driving operational excellence and policy implementation while managing multidisciplinary teams and enhancing organizational performance a...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

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

$150K - $200K *

Drive impactful ABA services by conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and supervising technicians. Collaborate with families to enhance clinical outcomes in a fully remote setting, adapt...

Atlanta, GARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Champion enterprise application architecture strategy, aligning technology solutions with business goals. Lead design governance, mentor architects, and drive innovation in EMR and clinical systems to...

Franklin, TNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$77K - $99K *

Unlock potential by leading investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicaid. Ensure compliance through quality audits and manage regulatory deliverables, collaborating with stakeholders to uph...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$75K - $160K *

Lead the charge in driving revenue growth and strategic relationships across long-term care markets. Manage the full sales lifecycle, achieve targets, and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure cust...

Columbus, OHRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $215K *

Champion innovative, fully remote psychiatric care with flexible scheduling and minimal administration, focusing on outpatient treatment for lower acuity patients while enjoying comprehensive benefits...

Wyoming, USRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$175K - $283K *

Champion regulatory excellence by leading CMC strategies for small molecule programs, ensuring compliance and driving successful submissions from early development through commercialization in a dynam...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Drive new business growth by owning the full sales cycle in the mid-market segment. Leverage your expertise in cybersecurity solutions to maximize revenue and collaborate cross-functionally to achieve...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Serve as a consultative seller to expand the DOJ portfolio by leveraging innovative technologies, fostering key relationships, and addressing critical security risks within federal law enforcement and...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$99K - $129K *

Lead strategic initiatives by managing a team of Systems Analysts to enhance claims management systems. Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment with organizational goals while overseeing pr...

Elkin, NCRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 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.