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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Senior Market Research Consultant
$84K - $152K *
Unlock potential by driving strategic initiatives across marketing, product development, and operations. Collaborate with leadership and teams to identify performance gaps and translate data into acti...
3 days ago
$210K - $250K *
Deliver comprehensive case reviews and clinical guidance, ensuring regulatory compliance and optimal patient outcomes. Collaborate with healthcare teams across multiple states to enhance service quali...
3 weeks ago
$125K *
Lead the charge in driving client relationships and business growth within Texas. Leverage your expertise in eDiscovery and legal services to identify client needs, foster partnerships, and collaborat...
Reposted 1 month ago
Senior Regional Sales Consultant
$95K - $115K *
Transform healthcare engagement by building relationships with HCPs through digital interactions and telephone conversations, promoting products, and achieving sales goals while ensuring compliance wi...
1 week ago
Hospital Coding Quality Integrity Analyst - Inpatient
$73K - $110K *
Elevate your career by ensuring coding accuracy and compliance in a dynamic healthcare environment. Collaborate with teams to enhance documentation quality and drive improvements in coding practices w...
2 weeks ago
Head of Emerging & Digital Therapeutics
$190K - $236K *
Develop and implement innovative therapeutic approaches to enhance mental health outcomes. Collaborate across departments to evaluate, integrate, and govern emerging treatments, ensuring clinical feas...
2 weeks ago
Director, Centralized Case Management
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by providing strategic leadership for a national remote case management team, ensuring service excellence, operational consistency, and client satisfaction while collaborating with...
2 weeks ago
Maternal Health and EPSDT Coordinator, Remote in Nebraska
$72K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading maternal and child health initiatives. Drive program development, ensure compliance, and collaborate with community partners to enhance access to essential services for...
5 days ago
Associate Sr. Counsel, Claim - Remote
$120K - $198K *
Advance your legal career by managing complex litigation cases, mentoring junior attorneys, and delivering exceptional client service. Utilize your expertise to drive results and foster strong relatio...
2 days ago
Clinical Solutions Specialist, Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC)- Southeast
$76K - $114K *
Unlock potential by driving growth in Electrophysiology-focused Ambulatory Surgery Centers. Leverage clinical expertise to build relationships, enhance product adoption, and ensure customer satisfacti...
1 week ago
Executive Director, Clinical Supply Consulting & Intelligence
$250K - $350K *
Lead the development of a clinical supply consulting practice, combining expertise in forecasting, planning, and optimization to enhance decision-making for sponsors. Drive innovation and commercial g...
1 week ago
Patient Access Manager (LOS ANGELES/CENTRAL CA)
$152K - $253K *
Join a team that's dedicated to guiding patients and providers through the oncology treatment journey, ensuring access to care and support solutions while navigating coverage and reimbursement challen...
3 weeks ago
Epic Application Analyst - Beacon
$80K - $95K *
Drive the design, build, testing, and support of applications, ensuring optimal functionality and user satisfaction while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to enhance workflows and resolve co...
2 days ago
Coder III - Radiation Oncology - Remote - 141725
$78K - $103K *
Join a dynamic team to perform complex coding reviews in Radiation Oncology. Leverage your expertise in CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 to resolve errors and ensure accurate billing. This remote role offers a...
Reposted 2 days ago
Remote BCBA | LBA Assistance + Professional Growth | Georgia
$150K - $200K *
Develop individualized ABA treatment plans and conduct assessments while collaborating with caregivers and supervising behavior technicians to enhance client outcomes in a fully remote setting...
Yesterday
Senior Director, Contracting & Network Development
$134K - $249K *
Drive your career forward by leading the development and implementation of strategic networking contracts. Oversee negotiations, manage team resources, and support market launches while enhancing heal...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$147K - $192K *
Tackle new opportunities in the healthcare sector by driving sales and strategy. Engage with C-suite executives, implement effective sales policies, and analyze market trends to maximize revenue growt...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior Specialist, Health Plan Member & Community Interventions (Remote)
$80K - $95K *
Transform member intervention strategies by leading quality-focused initiatives across diverse healthcare programs. Drive continuous improvement through data analysis and collaboration with community...
4 days ago
Remote BCBA | Join Georgia's Clinical Community
$150K - $200K *
Unlock potential by providing remote ABA services to children and families. Conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and supervise technicians while collaborating with caregivers to ensure meanin...
Yesterday
$100K - $125K *
Lead customer success initiatives by owning relationships, driving execution, and ensuring satisfaction. Collaborate across teams to manage projects, mitigate risks, and identify upsell opportunities...
1 week ago
AI Security Sales Executive, Bay Area
$157K - $185K *
Analyze and own AI Security sales in your territory, driving the full sales cycle from prospecting to closing. Collaborate with Account Executives to penetrate enterprise accounts and shape product of...
3 days ago
RN Clinical Documentation Specialist Lead- Quality Reviewer - Remote
$80K - $95K *
Lead the CDI Department by acting as a clinical and technical resource, facilitating communication between customers and leadership, and ensuring operational standards are met through effective workfl...
Yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Lead client success initiatives by fostering relationships, driving growth, and ensuring optimal platform utilization. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance client experience and achieve strategic...
2 days ago
Internal Consultant- Revenue Cycle- Remote
$100K - $120K *
Advance your career by leading revenue cycle initiatives, enhancing compliance, and driving process improvements across multiple teams while ensuring data integrity and supporting innovative healthcar...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Lead Coding Analyst (RN or LPN) - Remote
$80K - $95K *
Optimize coding review processes to enhance quality and productivity in claims, appeals, and medical policy implementation. Collaborate with clinical teams and manage audits while ensuring compliance...
3 days ago
What does a substance abuse counselor do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.