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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$93K *

Join a team that's dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health services through individual, group, and family therapy. Collaborate with psychiatric staff to deliver evidence-based treatment and...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$141K - $162K *

Champion patient-centered addiction care, developing treatment plans and managing recovery for substance use disorders as part of a dedicated clinic team. Drive impactful health outcomes through stron...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K *

Transform lives by providing critical nursing care in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. Contribute to a dedicated health team ensuring personalized care and safety for clients experiencing beha...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

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

$84K *

Join a team that's dedicated to supporting mental health consumers in transitioning from hospital to community living. Oversee clinical operations, enhance team collaboration, and foster a compassiona...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$74K - $115K *

Manage crisis clinical assessments for patients, ensuring appropriate treatment referrals and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care and outcomes in a fast-paced healthcare...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$58K - $105K *

Lead the charge in providing high-quality therapy for adolescents, overseeing clinical practices, and training staff. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to implement evidence-based intervention...

3 weeks ago

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

$58K - $105K *

Pioneer evidence-based therapy for adolescents with substance use disorders. Oversee clinical supervision, train staff, and ensure high-quality treatment delivery in individual, group, and family sett...

3 weeks ago

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

$100K - $120K *

Innovate your leadership in nursing by overseeing behavioral health facilities, ensuring compliance and operational excellence. Drive quality care and foster a collaborative environment while managing...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$250K - $300K *

Champion a comprehensive vision for addiction services, leading clinical and operational excellence across diverse treatment settings. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance care quality, access, an...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K - $95K *

Engage in transformative quality improvement initiatives, driving operational excellence and enhancing client outcomes. Collaborate with leadership to foster a culture of continuous improvement and da...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$93K - $114K *

Transform your career by providing impactful telehealth services to clients. Enjoy flexible scheduling and competitive compensation while focusing on meaningful clinical work from the comfort of your...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$93K - $114K *

Join a team that's transforming mental health care by providing flexible telehealth services to clients. Enjoy the stability of W-2 employment while making a meaningful impact on individuals and famil...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$93K - $114K *

Unlock potential by providing impactful telehealth services to clients. Enjoy flexible scheduling and competitive compensation while making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and fami...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$79K - $83K *

Lead and oversee nursing activities in an outpatient opioid treatment program, ensuring compliance and quality care. Manage staff operations, facilitate patient support, and promote a safe recovery-fo...

4 weeks ago

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

$82K - $84K *

Drive impactful change by managing program operations, overseeing compliance, and ensuring quality service delivery while fostering a culture of growth and support within the team...

3 weeks ago

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

$88K - $98K *

Transform the lives of youth aged 15-24 by providing tailored behavioral health services, conducting assessments, and collaborating with community systems to foster a supportive transition to adulthoo...

Today

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

$83K - $97K *

Champion compassionate care as an RN in Behavioral Health, collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to enhance patient outcomes. Join a supportive environment and utilize your nursing expertise to...

4 weeks ago

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

$174K - $374K *

Shape the future of behavioral health care by leading a dedicated team in utilization management, ensuring high-quality care delivery, and improving operational efficiency while navigating the complex...

Ohio, USRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Lead and inspire a dedicated mental health team, ensuring high-quality behavioral healthcare in a correctional setting. Oversee clinical operations, collaborate with multidisciplinary partners, and en...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $110K *

Elevate your career by providing critical care services in diverse settings. Collaborate with physicians to deliver patient-centered care, manage chronic conditions, and ensure compliance with healthc...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$86K - $116K *

Lead the charge in providing individualized nursing care for clients with severe mental illness, ensuring comprehensive assessments and collaborative treatment plans while enhancing quality of life th...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$86K - $116K *

Empower individuals on their recovery journey by providing expert nursing care in a collaborative, client-centered environment. Engage in comprehensive assessments and develop tailored treatment plans...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$86K - $116K *

Empower clients by providing comprehensive mental health nursing care, including assessments, treatment planning, and rehabilitation support. Collaborate with healthcare teams to enhance client outcom...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$92K - $126K *

Optimize patient care by performing thorough social work assessments and interventions for diverse populations. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, developing tailored treatment plans focused o...

3 weeks ago

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

$82K - $109K *

Join a dedicated team of therapists committed to patient care and clinical excellence. Enjoy flexible schedules, a supportive environment, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in outpatient...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.