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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$91K - $120K *

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California, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$60K - $129K *

Tackle comprehensive care coordination for chronic conditions and mental health. Collaborate with healthcare providers to advocate for members, ensuring effective communication and positive outcomes t...

Arizona, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $210K *

Drive growth by leading a dynamic sales team in the oncology sector, focusing on strategy execution, client relationships, and market insights to achieve revenue targets and enhance service delivery...

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6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $110K *

Accelerate progress at pediatric mental health care by leading clinical quality assurance and supervision, mentoring clinicians, and providing evidence-based therapy to children and families in a full...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $175K *

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United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $150K *

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United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $110K *

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Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$60K - $129K *

Transform behavioral healthcare for children by utilizing clinical expertise to assess and enhance care plans, ensuring effective and culturally competent support that promotes optimal outcomes and re...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$97K - $193K *

Transform clinical research by ensuring high-quality study execution and compliance. Collaborate with sites and teams to drive data integrity and patient safety, influencing successful outcomes throug...

Texas, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $220K *

Join a dynamic team to provide clinical oversight and support to Advanced Practice Providers in a fully remote role, ensuring high-quality patient care and compliance with medical standards in South C...

Myrtle Beach, SCRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Elevate client relationships by managing strategic accounts, driving retention and growth. Collaborate with internal teams to align solutions with client objectives, ensuring measurable impact and fos...

Boston, MARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $200K *

Join a team that's dedicated to providing remote ABA services, conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and supervising technicians to support children and families in Georgia. Enjoy flexib...

Atlanta, GARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $200K *

Join a team that's dedicated to transforming lives through Applied Behavior Analysis. In this remote role, you'll assess, develop, and supervise treatment plans for children and families, ensuring mea...

Atlanta, GARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $95K *

Drive impactful K-12 ELA instruction by leading strategic planning, coaching educators, and developing materials to elevate teaching practices and close opportunity gaps across diverse school partners...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

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

$89K - $148K *

Elevate financial management and audit remediation efforts for DoD clients, leveraging expertise in accounting, internal controls, and compliance to drive strategic improvements and ensure adherence t...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$74K - $85K *

Lead the planning and execution of diverse research projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Collaborate with stakeholders to manage timelines, deliverables, and budgets while fostering...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$123K - $168K *

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Minnesota, USRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing patient access through strategic design and management of support programs. Oversee vendor relationships and ensure compliance while driving initiatives that...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in executing therapy access strategies, collaborating with internal teams to enhance patient access. Drive process improvements, mentor junior staff, and analyze payer trends to optimi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Drive client satisfaction as a Senior Project Manager, overseeing eDiscovery projects, managing budgets, and consulting on best practices. Lead teams, enhance workflows, and ensure timely delivery whi...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$80K - $134K *

Elevate compliance standards by conducting detailed FedRAMP assessments, analyzing technical artifacts, and collaborating with clients to ensure security controls are effectively implemented and docum...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $224K *

Contribute to ecosystem strategies by engaging key stakeholders, providing clinical insights, and enhancing patient outcomes through collaboration and education in CNS therapeutic areas...

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2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$149K - $187K *

Drive regional sales success by leading a team of Territory Sales Managers, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration, and executing strategic initiatives to achieve performance targets...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $207K *

Lead strategic statistical initiatives for clinical development programs, ensuring rigorous study design and data analysis. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and regulatory authorities to drive...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Empower clinical excellence by leading trial monitoring efforts, ensuring compliance with protocols and regulations. Collaborate with teams to enhance data integrity and site performance while guiding...

Blue Bell, PARemote

2 weeks 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.