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Addiction Counselor Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

YSS

Residential Recovery Intern (53635)

Cambridge, IA · On-site

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

Addiction Counseling, Addiction Studies, Adolescent Psychology, Behavioral Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Child Psychology, Clinical Mental Health, Corrections, Counseling, Criminal ...

YSS

Summer Day Camp Counselor (55596)

Ames, IA

$14.40 - $18/hr

The Summer Summer Day Camp Counselor brings the program to life each day--leading planning ... Have you navigated recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing ...

Quadrant Health Group

Case Manager

Johnston, IA · On-site

$19 - $22/hr

... addiction counseling certification. ● CPR/First Aid certified or willing to obtain upon hire. Why Join Quadrant Health Group? * Competitive salary commensurate with experience. * Comprehensive ...

Elon University

Counselor

Elon, IA · On-site

Counselor Position Type: Staff Full-Time Days Per Week: Monday-Friday Hours Per Week: 40 VP Area: Student Life Department: Counseling Services Location: Elon Main Campus Position Summary The ...

Goldfinch Counseling

Be Seen First

Mental Health Counselor

Windsor Heights, IA · On-site

$60 - $90/hr

Goldfinch Counseling is seeking a motivated mental health counselor to add to our team. Our therapists work with individuals, families, and couples. Ideal candidates have an interest in working with ...

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Addiction Counselor information

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$30.5K

$50.9K

$66.7K

How much do addiction counselor jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for addiction counselor in Iowa is $50,932.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,700.00 and $57,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Addiction Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Addiction Counselor, you need a background in psychology or counseling, state licensure or certification, and specialized training in substance abuse treatment. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), motivational interviewing techniques, and standardized assessment tools is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and cultural sensitivity are crucial for building trust and effectively supporting clients through recovery. These skills and qualifications are essential to provide ethical, evidence-based care and to foster lasting positive change in clients' lives.

What are some common challenges Addiction Counselors face when working with clients, and how can they effectively address them?

Addiction Counselors often encounter challenges such as client relapse, resistance to treatment, and managing clients with co-occurring mental health disorders. Building a trusting relationship is crucial, as is maintaining patience and empathy throughout the recovery process. Counselors frequently collaborate with healthcare professionals, social workers, and families to create a supportive network for clients. Continuous professional development and self-care are important for managing the emotional demands of the role.

What does an addiction counselor do?

An addiction counselor helps individuals who are struggling with substance abuse or behavioral addictions. They assess clients’ needs, develop treatment plans, provide emotional support, and lead individual or group therapy sessions. Addiction counselors also educate clients and their families about addiction, help them develop coping strategies, and connect them with additional resources for recovery. Their goal is to support clients on their journey to achieve and maintain sobriety.

What is the highest paid addiction counselor?

The highest paid addiction counselors typically work in specialized settings or hold advanced certifications, with salaries reaching over $70,000 annually. Factors such as experience, location, and additional qualifications can influence earning potential significantly.

What is the difference between Addiction Counselor vs Substance Abuse Counselor?

AspectAddiction CounselorSubstance Abuse Counselor
CredentialsOften requires certification or licensure (e.g., CADC, LPC)Similar certifications, often overlapping with addiction counseling
Work EnvironmentClinics, rehab centers, hospitals, community agenciesRehab centers, outpatient clinics, community health settings
Industry UsageCommonly used term for professionals helping with addiction issuesOften used interchangeably, but sometimes more focused on substance-specific treatment

Both Addiction Counselors and Substance Abuse Counselors work in similar environments and often hold comparable certifications. The main difference lies in terminology; Addiction Counselors typically have a broader focus on various addictive behaviors, while Substance Abuse Counselors may focus more specifically on substance-related issues. However, in practice, these roles are often interchangeable, and the choice of title depends on employer preference or certification specifics.

What are the most commonly searched types of Addiction Counselor jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Addiction Counselor jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Addiction Counselor jobs in Iowa? For Addiction Counselor jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Addiction Counselor jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Addiction Counselor jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Addiction Counselor jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Addiction Counselor job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Addiction Counselor jobs in IA? For Addiction Counselor jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Addiction Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Addiction Counselor job openings in Iowa as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,932 per year, or $24.5 per hour.

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor- Substance Use Disorder

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Mason City, IA • On-site

$61.61K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Program assumes responsibility for the provision of substance use disorder services to veterans who are admitted for outpatient SUD treatment. The services will be provided primarily in outpatient setting and may provide some services to Residential Rehabilitation patients, as needed.Qualifications:Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
Education - Master's or doctoral degree in one of the following:
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; OR
  • A related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Examples of related mental health counseling fields include but are not limited to Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling. CACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited program. Additional information may be obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/.
    • NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling.
Licensure - Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment. NOTE: Applicants pending the completion of the licensure requirement may be selected (GS-09 only) and given up to a three-year temporary appointment.
Grandfather Provision: An LPMHC employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (4/3/2018) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard may not be promoted beyond the full performance level (GS-11) or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions until meeting the full qualification requirements.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.
GS-09 LPMHC (Entry Level) Requirements: Along with meeting the basic education requirements for this position you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  1. Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up.
  2. Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices.
  3. Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions, and strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the life span.
  4. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions.
  5. Ability to serve on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning of individuals, groups and families and on the counseling approaches, strategies, and techniques that will best help patients function effectively.
  6. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation and delivery of services, such as Telehealth.
  7. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA.
  8. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling.
  9. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
GS-11 LPMHC (Full Performance Level) Requirements: In addition to meeting the basic requirements and the GS-9 KSAs, to qualify for the GS-11 you must have at least one year of post-master's or post-doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) that demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  1. Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation.
  2. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship.
  3. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas, build on the foundation of competence through regular meetings and discussions to explain assignments, review progress of cases and confer about the counseling perspectives and orientation.
  4. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill.
  5. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment.
  6. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions.
  7. Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices.
  8. Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration. This may include evidence-based psychotherapy.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Qualification Standard
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11.
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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