Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Pay and outlook

Median annual wage, May 2025

$59,350

Half earn more, half earn less

Middle half earn

$47,100 – $76,530

25th to 75th percentile

People employed, May 2025

491,930

Wage and salary jobs (OEWS)

Projected change, 2025–35

+18.4%

Growing at twice the all-jobs rate or more (7%+)

Openings a year (projected)

50,500

New jobs plus replacing people who leave

Typical education to enter

Master's degree

BLS

BLS publishes one wage and employment figure for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors combined (code 21-1018). The pay and employment figures above are for that whole group, not for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors alone. So is the projection.

• All figures are for the United States as a whole. Pay varies a lot by state and city.
• Wages are for everyone working in the occupation in May 2025, at every career stage. They are not starting salaries or figures for new graduates.
• Growth and openings are BLS projections for 2025–35. They are estimates, not promises. Openings include jobs that open up when people retire or change occupation, not just new jobs.

What the work involves

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.

Main 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.

Description and tasks from the O*NET® 31.0 Database.

Getting in

Typical education to enter (BLS)

Master's degree

Training once hired: internship/residency

O*NET Job Zone 5

Extensive preparation

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Fields of study that lead here

From the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk, which links 2 programmes to this occupation. A link means the programme prepares people for this kind of work. It doesn't mean the programme is required, or that it's the only route.

Related careers

Related occupations from the O*NET database, in its order.

• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

  $60,280 median · +10.3% projected

• Mental Health Counselors

  $59,350 median · +18.4% projected

• Marriage and Family Therapists

  $66,940 median · +13.5% projected

• Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

  $100,580 median · +11.7% projected

• Rehabilitation Counselors

  $46,850 median · +2.2% projected

• Healthcare Social Workers

  $67,880 median · +8.5% projected