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How to hire an addictions counselor

Addictions counselor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring addictions counselors in the United States:

  • There are currently 38,764 addictions counselors in the US, as well as 79,459 job openings.
  • Addictions counselors are in the highest demand in Rockford, IL, with 10 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire an addictions counselor is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new addictions counselor to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire an addictions counselor, step by step

To hire an addictions counselor, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire an addictions counselor:

Here's a step-by-step addictions counselor hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an addictions counselor job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new addictions counselor
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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.

Learn more about the specifics of what an addictions counselor does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your addictions counselor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an addictions counselor for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    An addictions counselor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, addictions counselors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    Here's a comparison of addictions counselor salaries for various roles:

    Type of Addictions CounselorDescriptionHourly rate
    Addictions CounselorSubstance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors advise people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, or other behavioral problems. They provide treatment and support to help the client recover from addiction or modify problem behaviors.$15-32
    Mental Health TherapistThe job of mental health therapists is to guide individuals, groups, couples, and families with problems that are impacting their well-being and mental health. Their duties and responsibilities include encouraging clients to talk about their experiences, examining issues that may affect mental health such as substance abuse and bullying, and assisting clients in defining their goals and action plans... Show more$16-33
    Primary TherapistPrimary therapists are the main point of contact for patients concerning wellness and overall mental health. Those who choose this career path will be expected to supervise and manage efficient treatment according to plan, and to manage between six and eight patients at a time, keeping in constant communication with these patients and various specialists.$20-39
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Patients
    • Social Work
    • Chemical Dependency
    • Crisis Intervention
    • Substance Abuse Treatment
    • Intake Assessments
    • Rehabilitation
    • Patient Care
    • Treatment Services
    • Relapse Prevention
    • Family Therapy
    • Treatment Programs
    • Addiction Treatment
    • Discharge Planning
    Check all skills
    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).
    More addictions counselor duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the addictions counselor job description is a good way to get more applicants. An addictions counselor salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for an addictions counselor in Nebraska may be lower than in Pennsylvania, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level addictions counselor. Additionally, an addictions counselor with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average addictions counselor salary

    $47,226yearly

    $22.70 hourly rate

    Entry-level addictions counselor salary
    $32,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 30, 2026

    Average addictions counselor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Pennsylvania$53,934$26
    2Minnesota$51,485$25
    3District of Columbia$49,504$24
    4New York$48,882$24
    5Massachusetts$46,092$22
    6California$45,619$22
    7Ohio$43,429$21
    8Illinois$43,263$21
    9Maryland$42,628$20
    10Wisconsin$42,089$20
    11Texas$41,946$20
    12Colorado$41,810$20
    13Montana$39,217$19

    Average addictions counselor salary by company

  4. Writing an addictions counselor job description

    An addictions counselor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an addictions counselor job description:

    Addictions counselor job description example

    $5,000 HIRING BONUS (Prorated by FTE)


    • Benefits include:
      • Family medical, dental, long-term disability, 403(b) plan with 6% match, and more.
      • Generous paid time off policy. (Annual accrual up to 208 hours - based on FTE status and available to use upon accrual). Plus, 11 paid holidays annually.
    • Bilingual skills a plus; Options pays a premium for employees who can conduct business in Spanish and provide certification of a language proficiency test approved by the Oregon Health Authority that meets a proficiency level of “High Intermediate”.

    Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:30AM-5:30PM with some evening and weekend work.

    Overview

    The Drug and Alcohol Counselor provides substance use disorder (SUD) screening, assessments, and treatment to adults and/or children. Utilizes Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) in delivery of client services. Options provides on the job training and supervision for FIT.

    Responsibilities

    Provides client-centered care utilizing evidence-based and trauma-informed services.

    Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to establish therapeutic rapport and facilitate active engagement in services.

    Conducts assessment interviews using evidence-based tools and provides evidence-based therapeutic interventions to address identified treatment and recovery goals.

    Manages an appropriately sized caseload of clients. Implement treatment planning goals, utilizing program-specific evidence-based practices.

    Works collaboratively with the treatment team to meet client goals.

    Provides timely, accurate documentation using appropriate psychosocial terminology that meets or exceeds billing criteria.

    Adheres to the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) and standards of care. Completes program-specific charting, including the entry of outcome data and data-tracking.

    Develops and facilitates client groups.

    Participates in the management of behavioral emergencies.

    Facilitates access to other needed resources and health care services.

    Attends all mandatory meetings, participates in individual and group supervision.

    Maintains positive working relationships.

    Works as an active and cooperative member of the treatment team.

    Professionally represents the agency at all times.

    Facilitates connections to self-help recovery programs and activities.

    May transport clients using agency vehicles on occasion to facilitate client-directed services.

    Qualifications

    Experience with individuals who have substance abuse/addiction. Must have interest and ability to register as a CADC-R.

    Preferred: CADC I or II (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor)

    Please visit www.mhacbo.org for more information.

    Candidates must be able to use e-mail, compose documents, save and locate documents electronically, and learn to use our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Proficiency in Word and other MS Office applications preferred.

    Must pass state-required background and DMV checks; possess a valid OR driver's license and a satisfactory driving record to transport clients. Candidate must be able to work independently and flexibly, under general supervision.

    Possess understanding of HIPAA laws regarding confidentiality of privileged information, and ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

    Options for Southern Oregon is subject to the State of Oregon vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. New hires must submit vaccination documentation showing they are fully vaccinated, or be approved for an exception/accommodation, by their hire date.

    Options for Southern Oregon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

  5. Post your job

    To find addictions counselors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any addictions counselors they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level addictions counselors with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your addictions counselor job on Zippia to find and recruit addictions counselor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting addictions counselors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new addictions counselor

    Once you've selected the best addictions counselor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire an addictions counselor?

Before you start to hire addictions counselors, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire addictions counselors pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $47,226 per year for an addictions counselor, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for addictions counselors in the US typically range between $15 and $32 an hour.

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