Careers: Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate

July 01, 2023
24
August 22, 2023
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Money Icon Career Outlook

Substance use disorder practitioners/addiction counselors are high in demand due to the rising numbers of those in need of their services. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 23 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 41,000 openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Quick Facts: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
2020 Median Pay $47,660 per year
$22.91 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2020 327,500
Job Outlook, 2020-30 23% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2020-30 75,100

Graduates work in a variety of settings including:

    • Hospitals
    • Outpatient treatment
    • DUI programs
    • Opioid replacement centers
    • Other mental health treatment settings
    • Private practice

Graduates of the online substance abuse counseling certificate are also eligible to continue their studies in a bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling as it allows them to transfer their earned credits to the program at the University of Cincinnati Online. After the completion of a graduate degree, these students can work in fields such as mental health counseling, social work, psychology, and criminal justice.