Addictions counselor vs licensed professional counselor

The differences between addictions counselors and licensed professional counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an addictions counselor, becoming a licensed professional counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a licensed professional counselor has an average salary of $94,675, which is higher than the $47,226 average annual salary of an addictions counselor.

The top three skills for an addictions counselor include patients, social work and chemical dependency. The most important skills for a licensed professional counselor are patients, social work, and LPC.

Addictions counselor vs licensed professional counselor overview

	Addictions Counselor	Licensed Professional Counselor
Yearly salary	$47,226	$94,675
Hourly rate	$22.70	$45.52
Growth rate	12%	6%
Number of jobs	79,459	153,612
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Master's Degree, 48%
Average age	39	41
Years of experience	6	4

What does an addictions counselor do?

An Addictions Counselor helps patients overcome personal addiction problems, such as dependence on drugs, alcohol, and other substances. They evaluate the condition of their client through examining, asking questions, and recommending the proper treatment options.

What does a licensed professional counselor do?

A licensed professional counselor is a healthcare professional who specializes in providing therapy and counseling to patients with emotional and mental health issues. They listen to their patients and utilize various techniques to address concerns and help through the healing procedures. Their duties entail conducting interviews and evaluations, performing research and assessments, studying the patients' medical histories, providing consultations, and developing treatment plans that suit every patients' needs. Additionally, a licensed professional counselor monitors and records their patients' progress, adjusting treatments and medications as necessary.

Addictions counselor vs licensed professional counselor salary

Addictions counselors and licensed professional counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Addictions Counselor	Licensed Professional Counselor
Average salary	$47,226	$94,675
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $68,000	Between $73,000 And $122,000
Highest paying City	Philadelphia, PA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	New York
Best paying company	Wellpath	Bloomberg
Best paying industry	Non Profits	Real Estate

Differences between addictions counselor and licensed professional counselor education

There are a few differences between an addictions counselor and a licensed professional counselor in terms of educational background:

	Addictions Counselor	Licensed Professional Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Master's Degree, 48%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Hunter College of the City University of New York	Northwestern University

Addictions counselor vs licensed professional counselor demographics

Here are the differences between addictions counselors' and licensed professional counselors' demographics:

	Addictions Counselor	Licensed Professional Counselor
Average age	39	41
Gender ratio	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%	Male, 28.8% Female, 71.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	15%

Differences between addictions counselor and licensed professional counselor duties and responsibilities

Addictions counselor example responsibilities.

Ensure and manage the compliance with Didi Hirsch policies and procedures, contracts and other regulatory agencies, HIPAA and DMH.
Develop treatment plans and recommend a level of care within ASAM and DSM-IV guidelines, and approve requirements.
Restore patients to productive roles by educating them about available community base organizations, and social and employment services.
Perform initial evaluations and intakes, make eligibility determinations, conduct rehabilitation planning and problem solving, and counseling.
Provide drug, alcohol, and rehabilitation counseling and education in a residential therapeutic community for female drug offenders.
Serve as an advocate for family with private/public school-relate agencies (IEP meetings/education plans).

Licensed professional counselor example responsibilities.

Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Provide clinical supervision to LPC candidates, contract clinicians and counseling psychology practicum/internship students.
Assign, direct, and provide supervision of screening assessment complete by LPC and LCSW.
Conduct intakes and assessments on new admissions and recommend placement into services base on ASAM criteria.
Coordinate with the patient's family, attending physician, other hospitals and agencies following HIPAA standards.
Specialize in OCD and animal assist psychotherapy.

Addictions counselor vs licensed professional counselor skills

Common addictions counselor skills

Patients, 18%
Social Work, 12%
Chemical Dependency, 6%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Substance Abuse Treatment, 5%
Intake Assessments, 4%

Common licensed professional counselor skills

Patients, 13%
Social Work, 12%
LPC, 10%
Real Estate, 10%
Individual Therapy, 8%
Crisis Intervention, 6%

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Addictions Counselor
Addictions Counselor vs Licensed Professional Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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