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Substance abuse technician salary
Average substance abuse technician salary
$35,408
Understanding the Substance Abuse Technician Salary
The average salary for a substance abuse technician is $35,408 per year, or about $17 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, experience, and work setting. For instance, technicians working in metropolitan areas often earn higher wages compared to those in rural settings.
Salary by State
Analyzing the average salaries by state reveals that some states offer more competitive pay. For example:
- California: $40,000
- New York: $38,000
- Texas: $35,000
These figures highlight the importance of considering location when evaluating job opportunities. Technicians can also find higher-paying roles in industries such as mental health services and rehabilitation centers.
Career Growth Opportunities
With experience and additional training, many substance abuse technicians advance to roles like case manager or clinical supervisor, which typically offer higher salaries and increased responsibilities. Pursuing certifications or further education can lead to enhanced job prospects and earning potential.
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Where can a Substance Abuse Technician earn more?
Average substance abuse technician salary by state
The highest-paying states for substance abuse technicians are Hawaii, Connecticut, and New York. The lowest average substance abuse technician salary states are Nebraska, Texas, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for substance abuse technicians
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $38,407 | $18.46 |
| 2 | New York | $38,248 | $18.39 |
| 3 | Arizona | $34,308 | $16.49 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $39,138 | $18.82 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $33,341 | $16.03 |
| 6 | Vermont | $34,137 | $16.41 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $33,972 | $16.33 |
| 8 | Indiana | $33,467 | $16.09 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $34,995 | $16.82 |
| 10 | Alaska | $34,956 | $16.81 |
| 11 | Oregon | $37,981 | $18.26 |
| 12 | Nevada | $35,675 | $17.15 |
| 13 | Delaware | $35,237 | $16.94 |
| 14 | Illinois | $34,187 | $16.44 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $34,449 | $16.56 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $34,333 | $16.51 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $35,496 | $17.07 |
| 18 | Washington | $33,410 | $16.06 |
| 19 | Maryland | $33,014 | $15.87 |
| 20 | West Virginia | $32,603 | $15.67 |
| 21 | New Mexico | $32,478 | $15.61 |
| 22 | Mississippi | $31,823 | $15.30 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $32,432 | $15.59 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $32,058 | $15.41 |
| 25 | Colorado | $31,480 | $15.13 |
| 26 | California | $33,945 | $16.32 |
| 27 | Idaho | $32,510 | $15.63 |
| 28 | Arkansas | $30,822 | $14.82 |
| 29 | Kansas | $31,856 | $15.32 |
| 30 | Utah | $30,467 | $14.65 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $31,132 | $14.97 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $31,004 | $14.91 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $29,666 | $14.26 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $29,515 | $14.19 |
| 35 | District of Columbia | $34,028 | $16.36 |
| 36 | Maine | $28,414 | $13.66 |
| 37 | Montana | $28,476 | $13.69 |
| 38 | Michigan | $28,782 | $13.84 |
| 39 | Ohio | $29,942 | $14.40 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $29,046 | $13.96 |
| 41 | Missouri | $28,862 | $13.88 |
| 42 | Alabama | $28,756 | $13.82 |
| 43 | Virginia | $30,227 | $14.53 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $27,257 | $13.10 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $28,537 | $13.72 |
| 46 | Florida | $24,877 | $11.96 |
| 47 | Iowa | $27,544 | $13.24 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $25,152 | $12.09 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $24,811 | $11.93 |
| 50 | Texas | $25,253 | $12.14 |
| 51 | Georgia | $23,687 | $11.39 |
Highest paying cities for substance abuse technicians
The highest-paying cities for substance abuse technicians are Kingman, AZ, Arlington Heights, IL, and Los Angeles, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingman, AZ | $35,169 | $16.91 |
| 2 | Arlington Heights, IL | $34,344 | $16.51 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $34,069 | $16.38 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $34,051 | $16.37 |
| 5 | Revere, MA | $33,815 | $16.26 |
| 6 | Olympia, WA | $33,515 | $16.11 |
| 7 | Hobbs, NM | $31,494 | $15.14 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $29,071 | $13.98 |
| 9 | Wichita Falls, TX | $26,596 | $12.79 |
Substance abuse technician salary details
A substance abuse technician's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $49,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a substance abuse technician's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| Average | $35,408 | $2,951 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying substance abuse technician jobs
The highest paying types of substance abuse technicians are clinician, psychiatric social worker, and mental health clinician.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Therapist | $37,881 | $3,157 | $18.21 | 91,976 |
| Family Therapist | $50,774 | $4,231 | $24.41 | 106,982 |
| Mental Health Professional | $49,119 | $4,093 | $23.61 | 109,499 |
| Mental Health Practitioner | $50,628 | $4,219 | $24.34 | 140,365 |
| Mental Health Consultant | $51,006 | $4,251 | $24.52 | 127,233 |
| Addictions Counselor | $47,226 | $3,936 | $22.70 | 79,459 |
Top companies hiring substance abuse technicians now:
Which companies pay substance abuse technicians the most?
Substance abuse technician salaries at Sea Mar Community Health Centers and Hackensack Meridian Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average substance abuse technician salary at companies like The GEO Group and Ascension Michigan are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sea Mar Community Health Centers | $34,565 | $16.62 |
| 2 | Hackensack Meridian Health | $33,861 | $16.28 |
| 3 | The GEO Group | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| 4 | Ascension Michigan | $33,314 | $16.02 |
| 5 | Power International Holding | $32,760 | $15.75 |
| 6 | Americorps | $32,719 | $15.73 |
| 7 | Universal Health Services | $31,821 | $15.30 |
| 8 | St. Mary's Health Care System | $30,581 | $14.70 |
| 9 | Texas Department of Transportation | $30,398 | $14.61 |
| 10 | Burrell Behavioral Health | $30,115 | $14.48 |
| 11 | Acadia Healthcare | $28,927 | $13.91 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Substance Abuse Technician salary by industry
The average substance abuse technician salary varies across industries:
- The average substance abuse technician salary in the manufacturing industry is $34,580, the highest of any industry.
- The average substance abuse technician salary in the finance industry is $33,484.
- Substance abuse technicians in the health care industry earn an average salary of $29,799, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for substance abuse technicians
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $34,580 | $16.63 |
| 2 | Government | $33,484 | $16.10 |
| 3 | Non Profits | $32,613 | $15.68 |
| 4 | Finance | $31,977 | $15.37 |
| 5 | Health Care | $29,799 | $14.33 |
High paying substance abuse technician jobs
Substance abuse technician salary trends
The average substance abuse technician salary has risen by $5,300 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average substance abuse technician earned $30,108 annually, but today, they earn $35,408 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for substance abuse technicians over the last decade.
Compare substance abuse technician salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average substance abuse technician salary over time
Compare substance abuse technician salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Substance abuse technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,400 | $17.02 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $34,300 | $16.51 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $33,500 | $16.11 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $32,700 | $15.72 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $32,100 | $15.42 | +2.7% |
Recently added substance abuse technician salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifeskills Group | Substance USE Technician | Hopkinsville, KY | 06/27/2025 | $27,653 |
| 00 RHA Health Services | Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Tech/Mary Benson House (PRN-Nights) | Asheville, NC | 06/27/2025 | $41,740 |
| Bernco | Substance Abuse Technician Lead | Albuquerque, NM | 05/27/2025 | $43,055 |
| Bernalillo County, Nm | Substance Abuse Technician Lead | Albuquerque, NM | 05/22/2025 | $43,055 |
| Bernalillo County | Substance Abuse Technician Lead | Albuquerque, NM | 05/22/2025 | $43,055 |
| Amergis | Residential Aide/Substance Abuse Tech | Escondido, CA | 05/16/2025 | $52,175 |
| Bernco | Substance Abuse Technician Trainee | Albuquerque, NM | 04/28/2025 | $35,458 |
| Bernalillo County | Substance Abuse Technician Trainee | Albuquerque, NM | 04/27/2025 | $35,458 |
| Bernalillo County, Nm | Substance Abuse Technician | Albuquerque, NM | 04/26/2025 | $37,879 |
| Southlight | Actt Substance USE Professional | Raleigh, NC | 04/08/2025 | $50,088 |
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