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The average salary for Addictions Counselors is approximately $47,226 per year. Factors influencing this figure include experience, location, and the specific nature of the counseling role. For instance, counselors working in urban centers often earn more compared to those in rural areas. Additionally, specialized certifications can lead to higher pay.
Different states offer varying compensation. For example, states with a higher cost of living tend to provide better salaries. Exploring the highest paying states can significantly impact your earnings.
As an addictions counselor, you can work within various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. The demand for qualified counselors continues to grow, making it an opportune time to enter this field. Job seekers should utilize resources like Zippia to find openings that match their skills and goals. With the right qualifications and experience, opportunities for advancement abound in this meaningful career.
Let Zippia find your next addictions counselor job
Let Zippia find your next addictions counselor job
The highest-paying states for addictions counselors are Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Alaska. The lowest average addictions counselor salary states are Nebraska, Louisiana, and South Carolina.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | $53,672 | $25.80 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $51,484 | $24.75 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $50,631 | $24.34 |
| 4 | Alaska | $52,720 | $25.35 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $52,827 | $25.40 |
| 6 | Michigan | $48,145 | $23.15 |
| 7 | Delaware | $50,268 | $24.17 |
| 8 | New York | $48,809 | $23.47 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $49,078 | $23.60 |
| 10 | Indiana | $48,004 | $23.08 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $49,348 | $23.73 |
| 12 | Nevada | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| 13 | Vermont | $48,941 | $23.53 |
| 14 | Kentucky | $49,025 | $23.57 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $46,211 | $22.22 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $49,499 | $23.80 |
| 17 | Mississippi | $47,517 | $22.84 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $45,122 | $21.69 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $45,248 | $21.75 |
| 20 | West Virginia | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| 21 | Maine | $43,631 | $20.98 |
| 22 | Washington | $43,711 | $21.01 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $43,858 | $21.09 |
| 24 | Idaho | $43,871 | $21.09 |
| 25 | Virginia | $47,949 | $23.05 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $47,906 | $23.03 |
| 27 | California | $45,503 | $21.88 |
| 28 | Arkansas | $42,860 | $20.61 |
| 29 | Illinois | $43,137 | $20.74 |
| 30 | Ohio | $42,871 | $20.61 |
| 31 | Kansas | $43,481 | $20.90 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $42,332 | $20.35 |
| 33 | Colorado | $41,745 | $20.07 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $43,543 | $20.93 |
| 35 | Alabama | $42,960 | $20.65 |
| 36 | Montana | $39,146 | $18.82 |
| 37 | Maryland | $42,488 | $20.43 |
| 38 | Utah | $41,798 | $20.10 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $41,212 | $19.81 |
| 40 | Georgia | $40,009 | $19.24 |
| 41 | Oregon | $40,541 | $19.49 |
| 42 | Texas | $42,315 | $20.34 |
| 43 | Arizona | $39,003 | $18.75 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $38,346 | $18.44 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $38,582 | $18.55 |
| 46 | Florida | $37,113 | $17.84 |
| 47 | Iowa | $38,747 | $18.63 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $37,784 | $18.17 |
| 49 | Missouri | $39,889 | $19.18 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $36,345 | $17.47 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $36,505 | $17.55 |
The highest-paying cities for addictions counselors are Philadelphia, PA, Saint Paul, MN, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $53,934 | $25.93 |
| 2 | Saint Paul, MN | $51,485 | $24.75 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $49,504 | $23.80 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $48,882 | $23.50 |
| 5 | Somerville, MA | $46,092 | $22.16 |
| 6 | Santa Monica, CA | $45,619 | $21.93 |
| 7 | Lorain, OH | $43,429 | $20.88 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $43,263 | $20.80 |
| 9 | Baltimore, MD | $42,628 | $20.49 |
| 10 | Beloit, WI | $42,089 | $20.24 |
| 11 | Houston, TX | $41,946 | $20.17 |
| 12 | Denver, CO | $41,810 | $20.10 |
| 13 | Billings, MT | $39,217 | $18.85 |
An addictions counselor's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $68,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $68,000 | $5,667 | $33 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| Average | $47,226 | $3,936 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
The highest paying types of addictions counselors are lead counselor, licensed professional counselor, and counselor/art therapist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Therapist | $50,259 | $4,188 | $24.16 | 114,386 |
| Primary Therapist | $59,826 | $4,985 | $28.76 | 85,127 |
| Clinician | $60,150 | $5,012 | $28.92 | 105,023 |
| Counselor/Art Therapist | $79,417 | $6,618 | $38.18 | 80,647 |
| Counselor/Case Manager | $39,562 | $3,297 | $19.02 | 88,285 |
| Counselor Internship | $45,500 | $3,792 | $21.88 | 132,694 |
Top companies hiring addictions counselors now:
Addictions counselor salaries at Wellpath and Palomar Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average addictions counselor salary at companies like Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and Pathways To Housing Dc are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellpath | $60,789 | $29.23 |
| 2 | Palomar Health | $55,769 | $26.81 |
| 3 | Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation | $53,277 | $25.61 |
| 4 | Pathways To Housing Dc | $52,913 | $25.44 |
| 5 | New Seasons Market | $52,450 | $25.22 |
| 6 | Kaiser Permanente | $52,110 | $25.05 |
| 7 | Rosecrance | $52,011 | $25.01 |
| 8 | Catholic Health East | $51,886 | $24.95 |
| 9 | Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Inc. | $51,627 | $24.82 |
| 10 | Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins County | $51,346 | $24.69 |
| 11 | Ashtabula County Medical Center | $51,233 | $24.63 |
| 12 | New York State Restaurant Association | $51,036 | $24.54 |
| 13 | Universal Health Services | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| 14 | The Village Family Service Center | $49,821 | $23.95 |
| 15 | Premier Inc. | $49,224 | $23.67 |
| 16 | The GEO Group | $49,173 | $23.64 |
| 17 | Saint Francis Community Services Inc | $49,035 | $23.57 |
| 18 | New Bridge Medical Center | $48,852 | $23.49 |
| 19 | State of North Dakota | $48,807 | $23.46 |
| 20 | Colorado State Express | $48,787 | $23.46 |
The average addictions counselor salary has risen by $7,068 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average addictions counselor earned $40,158 annually, but today, they earn $47,226 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for addictions counselors over the last decade.
Compare addictions counselor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare addictions counselor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $47,200 | $22.70 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $45,800 | $22.02 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $44,700 | $21.49 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $43,600 | $20.96 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $42,800 | $20.56 | +2.7% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayuga Health | Primary Addiction Counselor--Ithaca OTP | Ithaca, NY | 06/30/2025 | $50,088 |
| Bettermorninginc | Addiction Counselor | Ione, WA | 06/29/2025 | $74,694 |
| Eckerd Youth Alternatives Inc. | Addiction Counselor | Saint Petersburg, FL | 06/28/2025 | $45,000 |
| The Guidance Center | ACT Team Licensed Addictions Counselor | Leavenworth, KS | 06/27/2025 | $63,000 |
| Hackensack Meridian Health | Licensed Addictions Counselor II--Behavioral Health | Belle Mead, NJ | 06/27/2025 | $39,198 |
| Kolmac Clinic | Addiction Counselor | Fredericksburg, VA | 06/27/2025 | $73,045 |
| Legacy Healing Center | IOP Addiction Counselor | Cincinnati, OH | 06/27/2025 | $75,000 |
| Rosecrance | Addiction Counselor-Adolescent Population | Rockford, IL | 06/26/2025 | $44,057 |
| Carle Foundation Hospital | Addictions Counselor (Lsw/Lpc)-Addiction Recovery | Champaign, IL | 06/25/2025 | $50,088 |
| Valley-Wide Health Systems | Addiction Counselor | La Junta, CO | 06/25/2025 | $46,227 |
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