Substance Abuse Counselor
Salary, job outlook, education and requirements
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
Also called: Addictions Counselor · CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) · Case Manager · Chemical Dependency Counselor (CD Counselor) · Chemical Dependency Professional · Counselor · Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS) · LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor)
O*NET-SOC 21-1011.00 (Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors)
Substance Abuse Counselor salary
Wages for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors across all employers, 2025 data. The 10th percentile is typical entry-level pay; the 90th percentile reflects the most experienced and highest-paid workers.
National median hourly wage: $28.53.
Substance Abuse Counselor pay by state
Ten largest states by population, annual wages.
| State | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $44,640 | $59,250 | $111,080 |
| Texas | $37,650 | $62,630 | $95,910 |
| Florida | $39,430 | $56,790 | $84,410 |
| New York | $42,410 | $59,450 | $90,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,280 | $52,010 | $81,970 |
| Illinois | $43,010 | $60,730 | $109,100 |
| Ohio | $39,010 | $58,360 | $83,730 |
| Georgia | $37,390 | $58,960 | $90,980 |
| North Carolina | $37,440 | $55,490 | $86,010 |
| Michigan | $38,490 | $61,690 | $94,400 |
Substance Abuse Counselor job outlook
- Employment is projected to go from 533,400 jobs in 2025 to 631,400 in 2035 (18% change).
- About 50,500 openings are projected each year, including jobs that open up as workers retire or change occupations.
- CareerOneStop outlook rating: Bright (Rapid Growth).
How to become a substance abuse counselor
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- No work experience
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
Education level of current workers
- Less than high school diploma1.2%
- High school diploma or equivalent3.7%
- Some college, no degree6.1%
- Associate's degree4.2%
- Bachelor's degree22.1%
- Master's degree57.7%
- Doctoral or professional degree5%
Related training programs
- Clinical/Medical Social Work
- Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
What does a substance abuse counselor do?
Common tasks
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
- Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
- Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
- Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
- Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
- Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers.
- Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program.
- Participate in case conferences or staff meetings.
Most important skills
- Active Listening
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Understanding people's reactions.
- Speaking
- Talking to others.
- Writing
- Writing things for co-workers or customers.
- Monitoring
- Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading work-related information.
- Service Orientation
- Looking for ways to help people.
- Active Learning
- Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Substance Abuse Counselor certifications
8 of 58 certifications CareerOneStop maps to this occupation. Requirements vary by employer and state.
- California Association of DUI Treatment Programs · Core
- California Association of DUI Treatment Programs · Advanced
- The Breining Institute · Advanced
- National Association of Forensic Counselors · Specialty
- International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization · Advanced
- Addiction Counselor Certification Board of California · Core
- Progressive Behavior Analyst Autism Council · Advanced
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board · Advanced · In demand
See all 58certifications in CareerOneStop's Certification Finder
Substance Abuse Counselor jobs
Current federal openings from USAJOBS. For more social work jobs, including private-sector listings, see the Social Work jobs hub.
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM.
Related careers
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Mental Health Counselors
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Social Worker
- Child and Family Social Worker
- Recreational Therapists
- Psychiatrist
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
More social work careers
This page includes information from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Source: CareerOneStop occupation profile for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors. Wages are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program; projections are national long-term projections.