Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
SOC Code: 21-1011 Job Zone 5: Extensive Preparation Needed
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $43,181 | $65,645 | $88,109 | $110,573 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $55,598 | $72,883 | $90,168 | $107,453 |
| Anchorage, AK | $59,904 | $75,338 | $90,792 | $106,226 |
| Boulder, CO | $49,712 | $67,434 | $85,155 | $102,877 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $51,709 | $68,619 | $85,509 | $102,419 |
| Ogden, UT | $43,576 | $62,858 | $82,118 | $101,400 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $49,130 | $66,061 | $82,971 | $99,902 |
| Vallejo, CA | $47,195 | $64,750 | $82,326 | $99,882 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $57,096 | $70,242 | $83,387 | $96,533 |
| Ames, IA | $45,240 | $62,317 | $79,373 | $96,450 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.2 | |
| Active Listening | 4.2 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.1 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 | |
| Monitoring | 4.0 | |
| Writing | 4.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 | |
| Persuasion | 3.9 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.9 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Therapy and Counseling | 5.0 |
| Psychology | 5.0 |
| Education and Training | 4.5 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.2 |
| English Language | 4.2 |
| Administrative | 3.6 |
| Administration and Management | 3.5 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 3.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 41.4% |
| High school diploma | 23.7% |
| Associate's degree | 23.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.2% |
| Bachelor's degree | 3.1% |
Typical Tasks
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
- Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
- Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
- Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program.
- Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Provide clients or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary.
- Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word ACMS Casewatch Millenium Addison Health Systems WritePad EHR Allscripts Canopy Anasazi Software Assessment and Treatment Plan Systems Athena Software Penelope Case Management Cadence Solutions extendedReach Case management software CaseManagement.com E-Reports Client System Database software
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