Social Services
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
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.
Median salary (BLS)
$59,350
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$39k – $98k
Job outlook
+17% (much faster than average)
AI exposure
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $87,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Education
Typical entry: Master's degree
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Entry / Junior
$38,940
~2 yrs to advance
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Established
$59,350
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Senior
$78,470
Key skills
A typical day
- •Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
- •Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- •Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
- •Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.
- •Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Social Services
Explore all- University of Michigan18% admit · $87,000 grad pay
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill19% admit · $73,000 grad pay
- University of Chicago5% admit · $91,000 grad pay
- Columbia University4% admit · $103,000 grad pay
- University of Wisconsin–Madison49% admit · $72,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.