Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for addictions counselor assistants in the United States
Addictions counselor assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected addictions counselor assistant job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 52,400 new jobs for addictions counselor assistants are projected over the next decade.
Addictions counselor assistant salaries have increased 13% for addictions counselor assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 28,986 addictions counselor assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 86,506 active addictions counselor assistant job openings in the US.
The average addictions counselor assistant salary is $46,799.
Are addictions counselor assistant jobs in demand?
Addictions counselor assistant job and salary trends over time
Addictions counselor assistant jobs over time
Addictions counselor assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 28,986 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 26,932 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 25,152 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 26,173 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 26,740 | 0.01% |
Average addictions counselor assistant salary over time
Addictions counselor assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $46,799 | $22.50 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $45,628 | $21.94 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $43,923 | $21.12 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $43,103 | $20.72 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $41,398 | $19.90 | +3.2% |
Addictions counselor assistant jobs by state
Most common states for addictions counselor assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,016 | 29% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 203 | 29% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,358 | 24% |
| 4 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 277 | 21% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 153 | 21% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 230 | 17% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 119 | 16% |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,941 | 15% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 910 | 15% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 847 | 15% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 546 | 15% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 162 | 15% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 156 | 15% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,216 | 14% |
| 15 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,050 | 14% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 267 | 14% |
| 17 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,620 | 13% |
| 18 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 534 | 13% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 127 | 13% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 79 | 13% |
Most common cities for addictions counselor assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun City | 1 | 3% | $41,499 |
| 2 | Albany | 1 | 1% | $48,258 |
| 3 | Bloomington | 1 | 1% | $43,137 |
| 4 | Waterloo | 1 | 1% | $37,536 |
| 5 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $47,114 |
| 6 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $45,692 |
Addictions Counselor Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of addictions counselor assistant experts
Adelphi University
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Vanguard University
Angelo State University
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC
Assistant Dean & Program Director, Master's programs in General Psychology and Mental Health CounselingAdelphi University
Mental And Social Health Services And Allied Professions
What will help Addictions Counselor Assistants increase their earning potential?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: One way to maximize your earning potential when starting your career is to develop a focus, not just a specialization. A focus requires a broader lens when it comes to earnings. For example, specializing in clinical treatments for addiction is important and will generate referrals. However, having a focus in addiction treatments extends your reach into other adjacent areas such as business applications and services offered outside of the therapy office. It might start with the question, 'what other groups or organizations might benefit from my focus area?' This might lead to a consultation opportunity at a business that is interested in reducing burnout for its employees and by extension the sequelae of problems associated with burnout (e.g., depression, addiction). One opportunity often leads to another. The second way to maximize income early in your career is to consider ways to translate what you do into a public-facing profile. Whether using LinkedIn or your own website, it is crucial for the public to become acquainted with you professionally. Investing in this process will pay off quickly.
What Addictions Counselor Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: There is a critical need for mental health care in our world. Many want to help with this need, making counseling a good profession to enter now.
What will help Addictions Counselor Assistants increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What soft skills should all Addictions Counselor Assistants possess?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Soft skills that are essential for counselors include emotional intelligence, empathy, multicultural competency, interpersonal abilities, and authenticity.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Addictions Counselor Assistants?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.
What type of skills will young Addictions Counselor Assistants need?
Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.: Indeed, the way we work is changing. The skills that young graduates will need are diverse. Transferable skills and soft skills will certainly be marketable. These include traditional crafts such as communication, but I also think the world expects more empathy from its employees. Young graduates with an understanding of racism, sexism, and environmental responsibility will become increasingly important.
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.
Dr., Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic TheologyVanguard University
Religion, Undergraduate Religion
What general advice would you give to an Addictions Counselor Assistant?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.: Opportunities come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are still out there. Whether you are seeking to land a job in education or the non-profit sector, you will need to familiarize yourself and get used to all things digital, for the sake of communicating effectively. The younger your student or service partner's mindset, the more digitally savvy you will need to be, especially in the classroom and in the non-profit world.
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.
Director, Quality Enhancement Plan Program Coordinator, M.S. Professional School Counseling Associate Professor, Curriculum and InstructionAngelo State University
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Addictions Counselor Assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.: Graduates will need to learn to use technology in which virtual platforms are taking place and web conferencing platforms. Numerous platforms are being used, so the particular platform itself is not as crucial as being well-versed in how virtual education differs from face-to-face environments. Typically, the instructional role in online learning is more of a facilitator, as the educator guides the students to think critically, integrate, and apply new knowledge. This may be difficult for educators who would rather stand in front of a classroom and pass on their knowledge through lecture-based formats. Additionally, being well-versed in various web conferencing platforms will benefit graduates, as they move into a career that is currently requiring communication in virtual environments.