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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$83K *

Join a team that's dedicated to transforming behavioral healthcare by overseeing 24/7 nursing operations, ensuring safe patient management, and leading a compassionate staff in crisis support services...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $160K *

Join a dynamic team of licensed professionals providing high-quality behavioral health services. Deliver individual and group therapy, conduct assessments, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$68K - $114K *

Join a team that's committed to enhancing lives through treatment and support. As a Clinician, you'll deliver assessments, treatment plans, and care coordination while engaging with multidisciplinary...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$89K *

Join a dynamic team to lead clinical operations at a Behavioral Health Urgent Care, ensuring exceptional customer experiences, staff development, and compliance with standards while driving quality in...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $100K *

Empower patients by delivering high-quality behavioral healthcare. Join a dynamic team of licensed therapists dedicated to clinical excellence, work-life balance, and professional growth in a supporti...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$83K *

Help us provide trauma-informed case management for high-needs populations. Work with a multidisciplinary team to enhance recovery, stability, and court compliance in youth and adults navigating the c...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

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

$83K *

Elevate the lives of high-needs individuals by providing trauma-informed clinical case management, collaborating in a multidisciplinary team to foster stability and recovery while navigating complex s...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

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

$60K - $129K *

Transform patient care by providing evidence-based behavioral health support. Collaborate with care teams to assess needs, develop treatment plans, and deliver short-term counseling, enhancing mental...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$97K - $110K *

Manage and optimize the Employee Assistance Program, overseeing clinical operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and leading a team of professionals dedicated to employee well-being and supp...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$97K - $110K *

Empower organizational wellness by managing the Employee Assistance Program, overseeing clinical operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing expert guidance to support employee men...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$120K - $150K *

Shape the future of psychiatric care by delivering high-quality healthcare, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and advocating for patients' needs while managing treatment plans and documentat...

1 week ago

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

$75K - $90K *

Join a dynamic team as a Clinical Supervisor, responsible for guiding resident clinicians in delivering evidence-based care. This role supports both telehealth and in-person sessions while fostering a...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K - $100K *

Optimize your impact in mental health as a Clinical Supervisor, providing guidance and support to emerging clinicians while maintaining a diverse clinical caseload. Join a collaborative community dedi...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to clinical excellence, providing exceptional therapy services in a supportive environment. Enjoy flexible scheduling and competitive compensation while making a meaningfu...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Innovate clinical services by leading a dedicated team to enhance patient care, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations while fostering collaboration with multidisciplinary professionals an...

Today

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

$88K - $105K *

Lead the charge in enhancing patient care by overseeing Social Services operations, ensuring compliance, and fostering collaboration among multidisciplinary teams to deliver exceptional behavioral hea...

Today

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

$66K - $96K *

Lead a specialized care management program to enhance health outcomes for multi-visit patients. Collaborate with diverse teams to address clinical and social needs, while supervising students and enga...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$72K - $93K *

Advance your nursing career by providing essential care in an outpatient addiction treatment setting. Collaborate with a dedicated team to support patients' recovery while ensuring compliance with med...

Today

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

$117K - $132K *

Support our legal team by managing complex litigation tasks, conducting research, and preparing documents for trials and administrative proceedings. Collaborate across departments to ensure efficient...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$300K - $350K *

Unlock your potential as a psychiatrist, providing comprehensive mental health care through diagnosis, treatment, and patient counseling in a supportive inpatient environment. Join a dedicated team fo...

Today

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

$156K - $187K *

Shape the future of youth mental health by providing in-home and telehealth therapy. Collaborate with families and mentor new therapists while making a meaningful impact on children with exceptional n...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$98K *

Empower a dedicated team to enhance clinical management and operations in transitional housing. Oversee program performance, ensure quality services, and foster positive staff-client relationships whi...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$98K *

Shape the future of health and human services by overseeing program operations, ensuring quality care, and leading a dedicated team to meet client needs and agency goals. Drive improvements and foster...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $120K *

Transform lives by providing remote counseling services to clients in need. Engage with individuals facing emotional and behavioral challenges, utilizing your expertise to foster healing and growth th...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $110K *

Drive clinical excellence by overseeing operations and leading a dedicated team. Manage patient care while fostering a supportive environment for clinicians. Transform lives through evidence-based tre...

Yesterday

  •   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.