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.
$92K - $167K *
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$65K - $110K *
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$80K - $95K *
Empower the clinical support team by coordinating complex cases, mentoring junior counselors, and enhancing protocols. Your expertise will drive effective communication and quality standards in geneti...
1 week ago
BCBA | Georgia | Work From Home
$150K - $200K *
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Champion regulatory document development for global submissions, ensuring compliance with ICH guidelines and corporate objectives. Lead projects, mentor junior staff, and enhance cross-functional coll...
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Account Specialist (Myrtle Beach, SC)
$160K - $192K *
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Account Executive - Remote (OH & KY)
$180K - $200K *
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3 weeks ago
Regional Director Patient Access - Remote
$112K - $193K *
Drive operational excellence and enhance patient access by providing strategic leadership across registration and revenue cycle functions. Partner with facility directors to optimize performance, fost...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
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$70K - $115K *
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Assoc Dir, Neuro Thought Leader Liaison (Southeast region)
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Join a team that's shaping strategies to engage key opinion leaders in rare neurological diseases, driving insights and facilitating impactful relationships to inform brand evolution and support launc...
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Clinical Application Support Specialist II- RO
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Unlock potential by providing exceptional support and training in clinical software, ensuring customer satisfaction through effective communication and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment. Joi...
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$80K - $90K *
Engage in data analysis and communications to support strategic planning and policy review for federal programs. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure timely responses and effective execution of hig...
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$145K - $175K *
Provide legal counsel on regulatory and transactional matters, structuring and negotiating agreements while ensuring compliance with FCC regulations. Play a key role in supporting M&A activities and g...
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Join our team to enhance healthcare operations by managing benefit configurations, ensuring accuracy in prior authorizations and process improvements while collaborating across departments to optimize...
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Senior Contract Support Specialist
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Elevate procurement efficiency by supporting contract operations, developing documentation, and liaising with stakeholders. Play a key role in ensuring compliance with regulations while managing compl...
6 days ago
Senior Consultant, Healthcare Finance (Healthcare & Medicaid Finance and Analysis)
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Unlock potential by driving healthcare finance consulting excellence. Collaborate with project teams to enhance service delivery through financial modeling, data analytics, and quality improvement ini...
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Supervisory Probation Administrator (Lead Business Advisor)
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Drive strategic oversight of IT product development for probation services, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals. Collaborate with leadership to manage project execution, governance, and stakehold...
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Account Director - eDiscovery Sales, Northeast Region
$110K - $140K *
Unlock your potential as a strategic leader, driving sales and client success in litigation support services. Collaborate with teams to enhance client relationships and achieve revenue goals in a dyna...
3 weeks ago
Georgia BCBA | Remote Opportunity
$150K - $200K *
Engage in delivering impactful ABA services remotely, conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and supervising technicians to foster client progress while collaborating with families and te...
Yesterday
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.