As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Substance Abuse Counselor in the United States is $65,260. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $57,810 to $70,060, with most professionals earning between $51,027 and $74,430.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $70,060 | $5,838 | $1,347 | $34 |
| Average | $65,260 | $5,438 | $1,255 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,810 | $4,818 | $1,112 | $28 |
An entry-level Substance Abuse Counselor with less than 1 year of experience earns about $62,814. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $63,036. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $65,618. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $67,624, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $67,767.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor | $62,814 |
| Intermediate Level Substance Abuse Counselor | $63,036 |
| Senior Level Substance Abuse Counselor | $65,618 |
| Specialist Level Substance Abuse Counselor | $67,624 |
| Expert Level Substance Abuse Counselor | $67,767 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 3% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 4% |
| Experienced | 4% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Substance Abuse Counselor compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $85,734 in 2023 to approximately $85,399 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Substance Abuse Counselor salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Substance Abuse Counselor information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Substance Abuse Counselor job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Substance Abuse Counselor and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $65,260 | 71.0% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,992 | 5.4% | ||
| 401K/403B | $3,198 | 3.5% | ||
| Disability | $1,044 | 1.1% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 6.9% | ||
| Pension | $2,741 | 3.0% | ||
| Time Off | $8,283 | 9.0% | ||
| Total Compensation | $91,889 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 11.1% |
| Associates | 15.4% |
| Bachelors | 30.7% |
| Masters | 41.2% |
| Doctorate | 1.2% |
What Am I Worth?
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work in various settings, including inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, correctional facilities, and hospitals. Some addiction counselors are employed in residential treatment centers, where clients reside during their recovery. Salaries for these positions typically range from $51,670 to $66,710, with a median of $58,650.
Substance abuse counselors face challenges such as burnout, with salaries ranging from $51,670 to $66,710. The job often lacks prestige, and counselors may work with clients who deny their issues, lack motivation, or face homelessness and health problems. These factors can contribute to a stressful work environment and emotional toll.
Substance abuse counselors typically work full-time, often exceeding forty hours a week due to their caseloads. They may also be on-call, responding to the unpredictable nature of triggers, crises, and relapse risks. Salaries for these professionals range from $51,670 to $66,710, with a median salary of $58,650.
While psychiatrists are among the highest-paid professionals in the mental health field, substance abuse counselors also play a crucial role. Their salaries range from a minimum of $51,670 to a mid-level of $58,650, with a maximum of $66,710. This highlights the importance of various therapy roles in addressing mental health and substance use issues.
The best degree for substance abuse counseling is typically an undergraduate or graduate degree in substance abuse counseling, addiction studies, or psychology. These programs equip students with the essential knowledge and ethical foundation needed for success in the field. Substance abuse counselors can expect salaries ranging from $51,670 to $66,710, with a median salary of $58,650.
Substance abuse counselors typically earn between $51,670 and $66,710, with a median salary of $58,650. Those employed by government agencies and hospitals often receive the highest salaries within this range, reflecting the demand and complexity of their work in these settings.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
