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.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Help us provide impactful telehealth counseling to diverse clients, addressing their mental health needs through effective therapy sessions and clinical documentation while ensuring compliance with pr...
1 week ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Provide telehealth counseling to diverse clients, addressing mental health concerns through structured sessions and clinical documentation while ensuring compliance with Michigan regulations...
1 week ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing mental health through telehealth counseling. In this full-time role, you'll assess client needs, develop treatment plans, and provide ongoing support to help...
1 week ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing mental health through telehealth counseling. In this full-time role, you'll assess client needs, develop treatment plans, and provide ongoing support, all whi...
1 week ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Elevate mental health support by providing remote counseling services to clients. Utilize your expertise to assess, plan, and deliver effective therapy, ensuring a positive impact on individuals' emot...
1 week ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Join us to provide impactful remote counseling services, helping clients navigate emotional and mental health challenges. Enjoy a structured weekday schedule while making a meaningful difference throu...
1 week ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Transform your career by delivering impactful remote therapy services. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, you'll provide client-centered care, develop tailored therapy plans, and support mental hea...
1 week ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Elevate your counseling career by providing impactful telehealth services. Support clients through personalized treatment plans and virtual sessions, fostering mental health and resilience in a fully...
1 week ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Support clients by delivering professional telehealth counseling services, managing caseloads, and applying evidence-informed interventions. Collaborate with clients to establish treatment goals and e...
1 week ago
Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Therapist (LCSW/LMFT)
$80K - $116K *
Transform the approach to mental health care for seniors by integrating compassionate, person-centered support into holistic care plans, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and ensuring qualit...
Reposted 1 week ago
$85K - $110K *
Transform lives by delivering comprehensive mental health care through effective assessments, tailored treatment plans, and collaborative interventions that engage patients and families in their thera...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Crisis Specialist (Associate or Licensed) Jail Mental Health
$109K - $132K *
Join us to provide critical psychiatric assessments and crisis interventions for clients in a correctional setting. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement effective treatme...
6 days ago
$85K - $110K *
Help us provide sound clinical interventions through assessments, therapy, and collaboration with clinical staff. Your expertise will support patient-centered treatment plans while adhering to ethical...
3 weeks ago
$70K - $122K *
Lead the charge in supervising high-risk adult clients in pretrial and probation services, utilizing specialized counseling skills to ensure compliance and rehabilitation through education, conflict r...
1 week ago
Childhood Behavioral Health Clinician (LCSW)
$85K - $100K *
Shape the future of pediatric behavioral health by providing assessments, interventions, and care coordination for children and families, ensuring culturally responsive and evidence-based practices to...
2 weeks ago
$85K - $110K *
Discover the opportunity to provide comprehensive clinical interventions, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and develop tailored treatment plans for patients and families in mental health sett...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead and optimize business office operations, ensuring efficient billing, collections, and compliance. Collaborate with leadership to enhance financial performance and patient satisfaction in a dynami...
Today
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Empower clients through telehealth counseling, focusing on personalized treatment plans and ongoing support. Join a dedicated team to enhance mental health outcomes and foster coping strategies in a f...
1 week ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Help us deliver impactful telehealth counseling services to clients facing diverse mental health challenges. Manage caseloads independently while ensuring compliance with ethical standards in a fully...
1 week ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Provide expert telehealth counseling to clients facing emotional and behavioral challenges. Manage individual sessions, maintain clinical records, and ensure compliance with ethical standards while de...
5 days ago
Fiscal Analyst (Fiscal Analyst 2) - Oregon State Hospital, Salem Campus
$65K - $100K *
Shape the future of financial management by analyzing and forecasting fiscal activities. Collaborate with senior analysts to enhance budgeting practices and ensure compliance, directly impacting resou...
2 weeks ago
$82K - $95K *
Unlock your potential by leading clinical teams dedicated to supporting children and families. In this role, you'll mentor staff, ensure high-quality services, and drive program success while fosterin...
Today
$82K - $95K *
Empower clinical excellence by leading and mentoring WISe teams, ensuring high-quality, family-centered services. Collaborate with diverse professionals to enhance practices and support the growth of...
Today
$82K - $95K *
Lead clinical supervision and development for WISe teams, fostering a supportive environment while ensuring high-quality, family-centered services. Collaborate with program leadership to enhance pract...
Today
$82K - $95K *
Transform the lives of children and families by leading clinical teams, mentoring staff, and ensuring high-quality services. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance program success and foster a suppo...
Today
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.