Salary Outlook for Addiction Counselors
An addiction counselor helps patients to overcome drug and alcohol dependence. They also help them to get over other destructive behaviors, such as gambling and video games.
Addiction counselors usually intervene when a patient is at his lowest point in the struggle with addiction. An addiction counselor may also work with the family to help the healing process. These counselors can work in outpatient care facilities, hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation centers, and halfway houses.
Succeeding with patients as an addiction counselor requires you to develop strong bonds with the patient. This relationship is called a therapeutic alliance. The therapeutic alliance lets the patient feel trust for the counselor, which allows them to be vulnerable as they sort out problems and work with you. (WFU.edu).
In your master’s or Ph.D. work, you will learn how to develop strong therapeutic alliances in these ways:
- Making sure patients know you want what is in their best interest
- Being attentive during sessions
- Telling patients that you empathize with their problems
- Understanding and discussing the significant issues for the recovery
An addiction counselor must be passionate about their work because it takes years to become one. You usually need a master’s degree in addiction counseling. Higher positions may require a doctoral degree. Below is detailed information about what you can earn as an addiction counselor.
Addiction Counselor Salary Information
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks national and state-level salary data for its career category of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors.
The BLS reports this salary breakdown for addiction counselors nationwide:
- Bottom 25% salary – $44,600 and below
- Median salary – $53,710
- Average salary – $60,080
- Top 25% salary – $70,130 and up
- Top 10% salary – $89,920 and up
Addiction counselors with more education and experience will earn higher salaries.
The sectors offering the highest average salaries for addiction counselors are:
- Business, professional, labor, political, and similar organizations – $94,050
- Religious organizations – $78,220
- Insurance carriers – $77,900
- Childcare services – $76,790
- Junior colleges – $72,930
A related field to addiction counseling is rehabilitation counseling. These professionals help patients with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities to live independent lives. They work with the patient to manage any social, personal, or psychological effects of disabilities on living independently or on employment.
The BLS salary breakdown for rehabilitation counselors nationally is:
- Bottom 25% salary – $36,440 and below
- Median salary – $44,040
- Average salary – $48,430
- Top 25% salary – $56,610 and higher
- Top 10% salary – $73,710 and higher
The sectors offering the highest average salaries for rehabilitation counselors are:
- Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities – $75,440
- Other ambulatory health care services – $72,160
- Insurance carriers – $68,630
- Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly – $63,540
- Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals – $62,170
Average Addiction Counselor Salaries by State
| Hourly | Annual | |
| Alaska | $37.23 | $77,430 |
| Utah | $33.80 | $70,310 |
| District of Columbia | $32.57 | $67,750 |
| New Jersey | $32.33 | $67,250 |
| New York | $32.33 | $67,240 |
| California | $32.20 | $66,970 |
| Wyoming | $31.94 | $66,430 |
| Oregon | $31.86 | $66,260 |
| Wisconsin | $31.84 | $66,230 |
| North Dakota | $31.83 | $66,200 |
| New Mexico | $31.82 | $66,190 |
| Arkansas | $31.82 | $66,180 |
| Washington | $30.53 | $63,490 |
| Illinois | $30.51 | $63,450 |
| Colorado | $29.99 | $62,380 |
| Maryland | $29.74 | $61,860 |
| Iowa | $29.70 | $61,770 |
| Oklahoma | $29.69 | $61,760 |
| Hawaii | $29.58 | $61,530 |
| Connecticut | $29.37 | $61,100 |
| Arizona | $29.15 | $60,640 |
| Nevada | $28.76 | $59,820 |
| Idaho | $28.36 | $58,990 |
| Vermont | $28.31 | $58,880 |
| Massachusetts | $28.23 | $58,720 |
| Nebraska | $28.23 | $58,720 |
| Virginia | $28.18 | $58,610 |
| Maine | $27.70 | $57,610 |
| Michigan | $27.67 | $57,560 |
| Ohio | $27.55 | $57,300 |
| New Hampshire | $27.46 | $57,110 |
| Florida | $27.39 | $56,980 |
| North Carolina | $27.17 | $56,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $26.97 | $56,090 |
| Missouri | $26.88 | $55,910 |
| Texas | $26.82 | $55,780 |
| Minnesota | $26.16 | $54,420 |
| Kansas | $26.04 | $54,170 |
| Georgia | $25.85 | $53,760 |
| Kentucky | $25.81 | $53,690 |
| Montana | $25.81 | $53,690 |
| Delaware | $24.63 | $51,220 |
| South Dakota | $24.50 | $50,960 |
| Rhode Island | $24.09 | $50,110 |
| Indiana | $23.92 | $49,750 |
| South Carolina | $23.71 | $49,310 |
| Tennessee | $23.69 | $49,280 |
| Alabama | $23.03 | $47,900 |
| West Virginia | $22.85 | $47,520 |
| Mississippi | $22.84 | $47,500 |
| Louisiana | $20.33 | $42,280 |
Job Outlook for Addiction Counselors
The job outlook for addiction counselors is outstanding. There should be 18.8% job growth in the field between 2023 and 2033 according to BLS. Employment growth will occur as more people want addiction and mental health treatments.
Also, the demand for addiction counselors should rise because states are trying to get more treatment and counseling for drug offenders instead of years in jail.
The criminal justice system has seen that substance abuse addictions are not as likely to re-offend if they get treatment for their addictions. Many drug sentences require the offender to get therapy and counseling for their problem. If they do not, they can be sent back to jail. Research has shown that addiction treatment programs can be more cost-effective than putting people in jail. States may use substance abuse treatment programs as a way to prevent people from re-offending.
Rehabilitation counselors see 1.8% job growth between 2023 and 2033. Demand for these counseling professionals will grow with the increasing elderly population, and with the additional rehabilitation needs of many groups, such as war veterans and people with various disabilities.
Summary
A career as an addiction counselor offers solid pay and the ability to help other people. As more state governments are requiring substance abuse treatment for drug offenders, there will be greater demand for these counselors for many years. The best way to earn the highest income as an addiction counselor is to earn a PhD and work in private practice, or for a religious organization. In these situations, you can consider the top 10% salary that starts at $89,920 per year.
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors and Rehabilitation Counselors. National labor market information and state labor market information also sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor. Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2025.