Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors Salary
Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD
Search Jobs on IndeedAvg Median Salary
$53,650
Highest Paying City
San Francisco
$76,000
Cities Tracked
60
What Do Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors Do?
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable populations and strengthening communities. They connect people with resources, provide guidance, and advocate for systemic changes that promote well-being.
Work settings include social service agencies, schools, hospitals, community centers, and private practices. Many roles involve direct client interaction and may require evening or weekend hours.
Key Skills for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Education Requirements
Bachelor's or master's degree in social work, counseling, or a related field
Requirements vary by role. Some positions accept a bachelor's degree, while clinical and counseling roles typically require a master's degree and state licensure. Ongoing continuing education is usually required to maintain credentials.
Career Outlook
Employment is projected to grow faster than average, driven by increased demand for mental health services and community support programs.
How to Increase Your Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors Salary
- 1.Obtain relevant state licensure or certification (LCSW, LPC, etc.)
- 2.Specialize in a high-demand area such as substance abuse or trauma counseling
- 3.Pursue a master's degree in social work or counseling for clinical roles
- 4.Develop cultural competency and multilingual skills
- 5.Build experience through internships and volunteer work
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors Salary by City
| City | Median | Average | Range (10th-90th) | Currency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $76,000 | $84,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Jose, CA | $76,000 | $83,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | USD | Apply |
| Seattle, WA | $70,000 | $78,000 | $46,000 - $88,000 | USD | Apply |
| Boston, MA | $69,000 | $77,000 | $45,000 - $87,000 | USD | Apply |
| Washington DC, DC | $67,000 | $74,000 | $44,000 - $85,000 | USD | Apply |
| New York, NY | $65,000 | $69,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | USD | Apply |
| Los Angeles, CA | $63,000 | $70,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Diego, CA | $62,000 | $68,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | USD | Apply |
| Denver, CO | $60,000 | $64,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | USD | Apply |
| Portland, OR | $59,000 | $63,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | USD | Apply |
| Baltimore, MD | $59,000 | $64,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | USD | Apply |
| Honolulu, HI | $59,000 | $60,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | USD | Apply |
| Philadelphia, PA | $58,000 | $63,000 | $38,000 - $73,000 | USD | Apply |
| Minneapolis, MN | $58,000 | $64,000 | $38,000 - $73,000 | USD | Apply |
| Austin, TX | $58,000 | $64,000 | $38,000 - $73,000 | USD | Apply |
| Sacramento, CA | $58,000 | $63,000 | $38,000 - $73,000 | USD | Apply |
| Anchorage, AK | $58,000 | $61,000 | $38,000 - $73,000 | USD | Apply |
| Dallas, TX | $57,000 | $62,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | USD | Apply |
| Hartford, CT | $57,000 | $60,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | USD | Apply |
| Atlanta, GA | $56,000 | $60,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | USD | Apply |
| Raleigh, NC | $56,000 | $59,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | USD | Apply |
| Chicago, IL | $55,000 | $58,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | USD | Apply |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,000 | $59,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | USD | Apply |
| Houston, TX | $53,000 | $59,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | USD | Apply |
| Nashville, TN | $53,000 | $55,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | USD | Apply |
| Columbus, OH | $53,000 | $54,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | USD | Apply |
| Miami, FL | $52,000 | $58,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | USD | Apply |
| Phoenix, AZ | $52,000 | $54,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | USD | Apply |
| Detroit, MI | $52,000 | $58,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | USD | Apply |
| Charlotte, NC | $52,000 | $55,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | USD | Apply |
| Las Vegas, NV | $52,000 | $56,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | USD | Apply |
| Kansas City, MO | $52,000 | $55,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | USD | Apply |
| Richmond, VA | $52,000 | $54,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | USD | Apply |
| Toronto, ON | $52,000 | $57,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Indianapolis, IN | $51,000 | $53,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | USD | Apply |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $51,000 | $56,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cincinnati, OH | $51,000 | $56,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | USD | Apply |
| Milwaukee, WI | $51,000 | $55,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | USD | Apply |
| Jacksonville, FL | $51,000 | $53,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tampa, FL | $50,000 | $53,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Antonio, TX | $50,000 | $56,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | USD | Apply |
| St. Louis, MO | $50,000 | $53,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cleveland, OH | $50,000 | $55,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | USD | Apply |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $50,000 | $53,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | USD | Apply |
| Louisville, KY | $50,000 | $52,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | USD | Apply |
| Vancouver, BC | $50,000 | $56,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Buffalo, NY | $49,000 | $53,000 | $32,000 - $62,000 | USD | Apply |
| Orlando, FL | $48,000 | $52,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | USD | Apply |
| Memphis, TN | $48,000 | $50,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | USD | Apply |
| New Orleans, LA | $48,000 | $50,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | USD | Apply |
| Birmingham, AL | $48,000 | $52,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tucson, AZ | $48,000 | $51,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | USD | Apply |
| Calgary, AB | $48,000 | $53,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Ottawa, ON | $45,000 | $50,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Edmonton, AB | $44,000 | $47,000 | $31,000 - $54,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Hamilton, ON | $42,000 | $43,000 | $29,000 - $51,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Montreal, QC | $41,000 | $43,000 | $29,000 - $50,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Winnipeg, MB | $40,000 | $44,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Quebec City, QC | $40,000 | $45,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Halifax, NS | $39,000 | $41,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | CAD | Apply |