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Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

On-The-Job Responsibilities:

Education & Outlook

Statewide

Typical Degree: Master's degree

Employed as of 2023: 8,633

2033 Projected Openings: 9,709

Entry Level Salary: $33,970

Median Salary: $51,790

Experienced Level Salary: $89,690

Numbers By Area*

Associated Local Workforce Area:

*values presented are at the Local Workforce Area level

Employed as of 2023:

2033 Projected Openings:

Entry Level Salary:

Median Salary:

Experienced Level Salary:

Data for job title Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors not available. Data for job title Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors displayed instead.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge

Therapy and Counseling

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Institutions With Associated Majors
Change View:

University of the Cumberlands

Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling

Degrees Offered For This Major:
  • Master
Cost
Cost of Attendance
$11,286
Graduation
Graduation Rate
45.3 %
Completion
Median Loan Debt
$14,911

University of Kentucky

Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling

Degrees Offered For This Major:
  • Bachelor
Cost
Cost of Attendance
$17,218
Graduation
Graduation Rate
69.3 %
Completion
Median Loan Debt
$22,500

University of Kentucky

Clinical/Medical Social Work

Degrees Offered For This Major:
  • Bachelor
Cost
Cost of Attendance
$17,218
Graduation
Graduation Rate
69.3 %
Completion
Median Loan Debt
$22,500

Union Commonwealth University

Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling

Degrees Offered For This Major:
  • Bachelor
  • Master
Cost
Cost of Attendance
$23,906
Graduation
Graduation Rate
34.5 %
Completion
Median Loan Debt
$24,250

Western Kentucky University

Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling

Degrees Offered For This Major:
  • Bachelor
Cost
Cost of Attendance
$10,916
Graduation
Graduation Rate
52.5 %
Completion
Median Loan Debt
$22,095
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This page includes information from the O*NET Career Exploration Tools by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY-ND 4.0 license.

This tool was built using publicly available data from the Kentucky Center for Statistics and the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.