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.
Utilization Management Coordinator (Remote in Oregon)
$85K - $102K *
Contribute to improving health outcomes by providing clinical expertise in mental health and substance use treatment. Engage in service authorization reviews, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams...
1 week ago
$85K - $104K *
Transform your nursing career by joining a dynamic team dedicated to providing compassionate care in a state-of-the-art facility. Engage with diverse patient populations and contribute to their healin...
2 weeks ago
$67K - $95K *
Join our team as a Licensed Social Worker, where you'll support clients in the criminal defense system through assessments, case management, and collaboration with attorneys to ensure effective repres...
Yesterday
PRN Psychiatric Physician Assistant
$100K - $120K *
Empower your career by providing comprehensive psychiatric care in a collaborative inpatient setting. Join a dedicated team to assess, diagnose, and treat diverse mental health conditions while ensuri...
2 weeks ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Engage in meaningful mental health care as a Licensed Professional Counselor, delivering virtual therapy to clients. Help manage stress, anxiety, and life transitions while guiding treatment and track...
Yesterday
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Unlock potential in a remote setting by delivering impactful mental health care. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, you'll guide clients through challenges, track progress, and provide essential su...
Yesterday
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Elevate mental health support by providing virtual counseling services, assessing client needs, and developing tailored treatment plans. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability...
Yesterday
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Contribute to the development of a remote counseling team by providing clinical guidance, ensuring high standards of care, and conducting telehealth sessions to support client needs and counselor grow...
2 days ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Provide telehealth counseling services to clients, addressing their individual needs through scheduled sessions and follow-ups, while maintaining professional standards and documentation in a supporti...
2 days ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Unlock your potential as a licensed counselor, providing impactful telehealth services to clients navigating emotional and behavioral challenges. Engage in meaningful client interactions while maintai...
2 days ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Reimagine behavioral health by delivering impactful counseling services remotely. Engage with clients facing various challenges, conduct evaluations, and maintain thorough documentation while adhering...
4 days ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Provide remote counseling services to adults, addressing mental health concerns through telehealth. Engage in direct client work, evaluate needs, and maintain documentation while adhering to ethical s...
4 days ago
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
$115K - $120K *
Engage clients by providing compassionate counseling services, addressing anxiety, stress, and life changes. Maintain clinical records and ensure adherence to Mississippi LPC requirements while foster...
1 week ago
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
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.