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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$62K - $108K *

Advance the future of mental health care by conducting comprehensive assessments and evaluations for patients of all ages, collaborating with treatment teams to ensure appropriate care and support for...

Reposted 6 days ago

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

$69K - $113K *

Join us to lead a dedicated team in delivering high-quality suicide prevention services. Oversee clinical operations, ensure compliance with grant requirements, and foster a collaborative environment...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$69K - $113K *

Join a team that's dedicated to providing clinical leadership and oversight for suicide prevention services. Lead a skilled team, implement evidence-based practices, and ensure high-quality care for p...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$88K - $98K *

Empower families through evidence-based Multisystemic Therapy, addressing youth challenges with a strengths-based approach. Collaborate with caregivers and community partners to create sustainable cha...

2 weeks ago

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

$92K - $113K *

Advance your career by leading a multidisciplinary team to provide clinical supervision and improve care quality in a dynamic environment, ensuring effective responses in a structured on-call rotation...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$123K - $179K *

Unlock potential by providing culturally responsive mental health services to a diverse student population. Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team to deliver trauma-informed care, crisis stabiliz...

2 days ago

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

$83K - $87K *

Join a team that's dedicated to providing compassionate care in an outpatient opioid treatment program. As a Dispensing Nurse, you'll assess patients, administer medications, and collaborate with a cl...

Yesterday

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

$100K - $112K *

Join our multidisciplinary clinical team as a licensed therapist, providing top-tier mental health care to children and adolescents in a supportive, remote environment. Enjoy flexible scheduling, stro...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $112K *

Join a team that's dedicated to transforming mental health care for children and adolescents. Enjoy flexibility in scheduling while working in a supportive environment with full administrative assista...

Sterling, VARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$93K - $100K *

Transform lives by providing critical in-person support during mental health crises. Collaborate with a dedicated team to ensure safety, stabilization, and care coordination for individuals in need, r...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$93K - $100K *

Pioneer mental health support with our Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, providing critical in-person crisis stabilization and care coordination as a licensed clinician, available 24/7 to ensure community...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $95K *

Empower individuals by leading comprehensive clinical case management efforts. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement tailored care plans, ensuring effective service deliver...

2 weeks ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Champion quality patient care by leading the nursing department, ensuring compliance with regulations, and enhancing team performance in a supportive recovery environment...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$280K - $360K *

Transform healthcare delivery by leading comprehensive medical services, ensuring high-quality, patient-centered care while managing a dedicated team in a dynamic environment. Drive initiatives that e...

3 weeks ago

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

$85K - $100K *

Lead strategic and operational initiatives in Emergency Services, ensuring high-quality behavioral health and substance use care for individuals in crisis. Oversee performance, compliance, and collabo...

2 weeks ago

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

$100K - $120K *

Inspire excellence in nursing leadership by overseeing comprehensive clinical services, ensuring quality patient care and regulatory compliance across diverse behavioral health programs. Drive continu...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$65K - $100K *

Transform your career by evaluating and enhancing service delivery for individuals with developmental disabilities. Collaborate with stakeholders to streamline licensing processes and ensure quality c...

4 days ago

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

$95K - $110K *

Lead the charge in nursing excellence by overseeing operations, ensuring quality patient care, and fostering staff development in a dynamic treatment environment focused on recovery and safety...

1 week ago

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

$94K - $104K *

Empower individuals by leading mental health initiatives for inmates transitioning to community life. Oversee programs, coordinate case management, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders to ensure...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$135K - $165K *

Lead and inspire a team of mental health professionals to enhance client care, drive program development, and ensure compliance, while fostering a collaborative environment focused on quality and perf...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$61K - $114K *

Engage in the development and implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program, promoting academic, social-emotional, and career readiness for all students while ensuring equity and access...

1 week ago

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

$61K - $114K *

Elevate student success by leading a comprehensive school counseling program. Collaborate with educators and stakeholders to support academic, social-emotional, and career development for all students...

1 week ago

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

$113K - $139K *

Champion transformative practices in behavioral health services, managing clinical operations across children and adult programs. Lead staff, develop policies, and improve community health engagement...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$127K - $157K *

Shape the future of mental health care by leading a dedicated team in delivering exceptional clinical and operational outcomes. Drive success through effective management of patient care and business...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$73K - $92K *

Pioneer innovative mental health solutions as an Access Clinician II, providing assessments and crisis intervention. Collaborate with clients to enhance recovery and ensure compliance with professiona...

3 days ago

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

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.