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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$85K - $95K *

Lead the charge in providing advanced clinical leadership and oversight for youth residential services, ensuring individualized, trauma-informed care while fostering team development and compliance wi...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$160K - $200K *

Contribute to the management of addiction treatment by evaluating patients, prescribing medications, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to ensure effective care for vulnerable populations...

2 weeks ago

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

$71K - $97K *

Join a vital correctional healthcare team assessing and treating substance abuse issues among inmates. You'll design personalized treatment plans, provide therapy, and ensure compliance with security...

3 weeks ago

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

$69K - $91K *

Drive operational excellence by coordinating daily activities, managing documentation, and ensuring compliance. Collaborate with teams and stakeholders to enhance efficiency and accuracy in a fast-pac...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$90K - $110K *

Accelerate progress at an OASAS certified program by leading clinical oversight and ensuring compliance with regulations. Guide multidisciplinary teams in delivering Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT...

3 weeks ago

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

$90K - $110K *

Champion a transformative outpatient program as you lead clinical oversight, ensure compliance, and foster collaboration between medical and behavioral health for effective Medication-Assisted Treatme...

3 weeks ago

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

$61K - $113K *

Join a dynamic team to conduct behavioral health assessments, provide diagnoses, and implement treatment plans. Collaborate with medical professionals to enhance patient care through evidence-based in...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$61K - $113K *

Unlock potential by conducting comprehensive behavioral health assessments, providing evidence-based interventions, and collaborating with medical professionals to enhance patient care and treatment o...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $95K *

Oversee daily operations and programming at a community wellness center, ensuring high-quality, person-centered services. Lead a multidisciplinary team, foster community partnerships, and promote oper...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $95K *

Transform community wellness by overseeing operations, fostering partnerships, and leading a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, person-centered programming in a supportive environment tha...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Elevate your career by providing essential medical services for patients with substance use disorders. Collaborate with a dedicated team to deliver comprehensive care, including withdrawal management...

2 weeks ago

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

$350K - $400K *

Transform the landscape of addiction treatment by overseeing clinical services, guiding medical providers, and ensuring compliance with regulations while enhancing patient recovery efforts and educati...

4 weeks ago

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

$90K - $110K *

Join a dedicated team providing comprehensive medical care for patients with substance use disorders. Engage in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning while ensuring coordinated patient care in...

Today

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

$80K *

Lead the development and supervision of outpatient substance use disorder services, ensuring high-quality care and compliance with regulations while fostering a supportive environment for staff and cl...

2 weeks ago

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

$80K *

Shape the future of youth substance use treatment by supervising clinical staff, ensuring compliance, and enhancing client care through innovative program development and community collaboration...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

2 weeks ago

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

$160K - $200K *

Join a team that provides essential medical leadership and care within a substance use treatment program, overseeing quality standards, staff supervision, and direct client medical services to ensure...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$85K - $95K *

Transform clinical care by leading a multidisciplinary team, enhancing programming, and ensuring high-quality treatment in a dynamic behavioral health environment. Drive impactful change and foster a...

1 week ago

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

$90K - $110K *

Champion the operational and clinical excellence of outpatient services, driving growth and quality in partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs while leading a dedicated team and enha...

1 week ago

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

$85K - $100K *

Lead the outpatient services team to enhance PHP/IOP programs, driving clinical excellence and operational success while ensuring high-quality patient care and satisfaction across the behavioral healt...

1 week ago

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

$85K - $100K *

Lead and enhance outpatient services by managing PHP/IOP programs, driving clinical excellence, and achieving performance targets while fostering team development and community advocacy for behavioral...

1 week ago

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

$123K *

Champion innovative drug treatment programs while supervising clinical staff and ensuring compliance with protocols. Leverage your expertise to enhance inmate rehabilitation through effective treatmen...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$120K - $127K *

Champion the transformation of lives by providing essential outpatient addictions counselling. Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver tailored interventions for Canadian Armed Forces me...

Esquimalt, BCIn-Person

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to transforming lives through recovery! As a Clinical Director, you'll lead clinical staff, implement best practices, and ensure quality care for individuals facing substa...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Lead strategic community initiatives and oversee funding opportunities to enhance recovery services. Collaborate with stakeholders to implement and evaluate programs, ensuring alignment with organizat...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K *

Support the clinical operations of a leading behavioral health program by overseeing staff, enhancing treatment curriculum, and ensuring compliance with health standards to improve patient outcomes an...

2 days ago

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

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.