Chemical Dependency Counselor Salaries
Chemical dependency counselors help patients overcome addiction to drugs or alcohol. Some counselors work directly with patients, while others help families and friends of the sufferer learn how to handle the patient's addiction or change the dynamics of their relationship with the addict (whether he is still using or is sober). This field requires emotional strength in addition to counseling knowledge; potential counselors should consider both the financial and emotional impact of this type of job.
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Factors
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How much money you make as a chemical dependency counselor depends on what area of the country you work in and whether you work at a private practice, a hospital or a rehabilitation facility. California, Pennsylvania and Minnesota pay slightly more than other states, according to payscale.com, and private practices yield more income than other job settings. Your salary also goes up as you gain experience in the field.
Licensure
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Your license type depends on how much education you have received to date. If you only have a basic counseling license, you will make less money to start than if you hold a license in alcohol and drug counseling. Most counseling programs involve masters degree level courses. You must also pass the appropriate state examination to receive a particular license.
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Job Duties
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Chemical dependency counselors fulfill a variety of functions. They often evaluate patients to determine if they have a chemical dependency problem and keep track of how their patients are doing over time. Some counselors work with individuals, while others work with families or groups of patients. Chemical dependency counselors must also keep accurate records and file proper paperwork with insurance companies as well as take continuing education courses to keep their licenses current or earn a higher level license.
Considerations
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Chemical dependency counselors make between $35,000 and $47,000 on average. You should consider whether this is enough money to meet your needs, especially considering the amount of work you will be expected to do. Chemical dependency counselors often work long hours and may find their job stressful due to working with people with special emotional needs. In addition to the hours you put into the job every day, you will have to devote time to continuing education.
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