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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$100K - $150K *

Transform mental health care by conducting evaluations, developing treatment plans, and prescribing medications. Engage with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive patient support and impro...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $100K *

Empower patients by assessing social and emotional factors to foster effective home health care. Collaborate with families and teams to develop support plans and connect with community resources for e...

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$90K - $100K *

Join our dedicated team to provide vital social support for patients and families. Leverage your expertise to assess needs, educate caregivers, and coordinate community resources to enhance care for t...

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$90K - $100K *

Optimize patient care by providing education and support to improve the lives of geriatric patients and their families. Coordinate interventions with home health teams and community resources to ensur...

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$180K - $220K *

Lead the charge in providing comprehensive mental health services to children and adolescents, conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and managing psychiatric care in a collaborative envi...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Serve as a key member of our team by delivering comprehensive behavioral health care, managing patient medications, and collaborating across departments to ensure quality treatment and compliance with...

4 weeks ago

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

$130K - $160K *

Champion patient-centered behavioral health care by leveraging your psychiatric expertise to assess and treat patients, ensuring evidence-based practices and collaboration with healthcare teams in a d...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic leadership team to oversee crisis services, ensuring high-quality mental health and substance abuse treatment. Drive program development, compliance, and operational excellence while fo...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $131K *

Champion high-quality behavioral healthcare by delivering exceptional therapy services. Join a dynamic clinical team focused on patient care, professional growth, and work-life balance in a supportive...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $131K *

Inspire excellence in behavioral healthcare by delivering high-quality services to diverse populations. Collaborate with a dedicated clinical team to enhance patient care while enjoying flexible sched...

Brunswick, MERemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$72K - $129K *

Lead the charge in providing clinical services and supervision for outpatient cases, while engaging in research initiatives and staff development to enhance behavioral psychology practices...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $100K *

Unlock potential by delivering high-quality behavioral healthcare in a flexible, supportive environment. Join a dynamic clinical team focused on patient care and professional growth, with opportunitie...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K - $100K *

Elevate your career by joining our team as a key educator in Behavioral Health, driving the development of nursing staff while ensuring exceptional patient care and safety. Engage in clinical practice...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

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

$67K - $100K *

Transform patient care by delivering comprehensive mental health services. Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to enhance treatment outcomes, advocate for patients, and support their journey to...

3 weeks ago

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

$90K - $110K *

Join a team that's dedicated to providing crucial psychiatric care in a fast-paced crisis environment. Deliver assessments, coordinate treatment, and stabilize individuals through effective medication...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $100K *

Pioneer support for patients and families by addressing social and emotional needs. Collaborate with healthcare teams to enhance care integration and improve quality of life for the geriatric populati...

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$210K - $250K *

Join a leading academic institution as a Program Director, overseeing the ACGME-accredited Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship. Shape future leaders in addiction psychiatry through clinical care, educatio...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to patient care by evaluating and treating individuals, managing medications, and providing staff training. Contribute to case conferencing and emergency response while en...

1 week ago

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

$80K - $100K *

Lead transformative clinical programs, providing oversight and supervision in Developmental Services. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance service quality and client outcomes while ensu...

North Bay, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $95K *

Transform patient care by leading a dedicated clinical team, ensuring high-quality treatment and compliance with standards while fostering professional growth and collaboration across departments...

2 weeks ago

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

$72K - $130K *

Join us to enhance quality care through comprehensive audits and data analysis. You'll guide behavioral health providers, implement corrective actions, and collaborate on quality improvement initiativ...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$210K - $250K *

Join our clinical team as you lead inpatient care for children and adolescents. You'll provide psychiatric treatment and collaborate with dedicated professionals while ensuring effective communication...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

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

$210K - $250K *

Unlock potential by leading clinical teams in providing integrated psychiatric care to children and adolescents. Engage in diagnosis, treatment, and medication management in various inpatient settings...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

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

$300K - $345K *

Lead the charge in clinical leadership and oversight within a forensic psychiatric program, combining direct treatment with supervision, staff development, and a commitment to patient safety and recov...

Yesterday

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

$66K - $101K *

Join us to make a meaningful impact as a Medical Case Manager, facilitating recovery for injured workers through collaboration with patients, families, and healthcare providers. This role involves loc...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.