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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$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...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Texas, USRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$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...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$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...

Omaha, NERemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

Springfield, MARemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$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...

Los Angeles, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$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...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$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...

Woodstock, GARemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

Florida, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

Boise, IDRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

Georgia, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

New Orleans, LARemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

Miami, FLRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

Shreveport, LARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

New York, NYRemote

3 days 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.