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Entry Level Addiction Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Showing results 21-28

Entry Level Addiction information

See California salary details

$20.6K

$49.9K

$85.2K

How much do entry level addiction jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level addiction in California is $49,867.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32,804.00 and $54,347.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectEntry Level AddictionEntry Level Substance Abuse Counselor
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certification may be preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; certification or licensure often required
Work EnvironmentRehabilitation centers, clinics, community health programsRehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, hospitals
Employer & Industry UsageUsed broadly in addiction treatment settingsSpecific role within addiction treatment teams
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in addiction treatmentClarifying responsibilities and qualifications for entry-level counselors

Entry Level Addiction roles generally refer to basic positions in addiction treatment, often requiring minimal certifications. Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselors are more specialized, typically needing certification or licensure, and focus on providing counseling services. Both roles work in similar environments but differ in responsibilities and qualification requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level addiction counselor?

To thrive as an Entry Level Addiction Counselor, you need a foundational knowledge of substance abuse treatment, basic counseling techniques, and typically a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related field. Familiarity with case management software, documentation systems, and in some states, certification like CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) is often required. Compassion, strong listening skills, and the ability to build trust with clients are essential soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for providing effective support, ensuring compliance, and fostering recovery in individuals struggling with addiction.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level addiction counselors, and how can they be managed effectively?

Entry-level addiction counselors often encounter challenges such as building trust with clients, managing emotionally charged situations, and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. These challenges can be managed effectively through ongoing supervision, seeking support from experienced colleagues, and participating in regular training. It's also important to practice self-care and utilize available resources within the team to prevent burnout. Many organizations offer mentorship programs to help new counselors navigate these early hurdles and develop their skills.

What is an entry level addiction job?

Entry level addiction jobs are positions in the field of addiction treatment and recovery that require minimal prior experience or education. These roles often include titles such as addiction technician, behavioral health aide, or support staff in treatment centers. Employees in these positions assist with daily care of clients, monitor behavior, provide support for recovery activities, and help maintain a safe environment. Entry level addiction jobs are a great way to start a career in substance abuse counseling and behavioral health, often providing on-the-job training and opportunities to advance.
What are the most commonly searched types of Addiction jobs in California? The most popular types of Addiction jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Addiction jobs in California? For Entry Level Addiction jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Addiction jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Addiction jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Addiction job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,867 per year, or $24 per hour.

CLINICIAN I/II - CSU **10hrs**

Momentum For Health

San Jose, CA • On-site

$59.96/hr

Other

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Job Title

Work Schedule is Saturday & Sunday 7:30am – 12:30pm. Licensed candidates are preferred as either a LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC however ACSW, APCC or AMFT with experience can be considered. Experience working with individuals with serious mental illness and/or addiction issues encouraged to apply. Please note these are 5 hour shifts Hourly Rate: Associate $42.07...Licensed $54.30 …….( Plus 10% differential ) Bi-Lingual Pay - One hundred thirty-five dollars per paycheck for threshold languages to serve our monolingual clients Pay rates for Union positions are set in the Collective Bargaining Agreement with SEIU Local 521. Each position has a total of six steps, Step 1 (entry level) through Step 6 (15 years of employment with the organization). Union staff are promoted from Step 1 to Step 2 upon their one-year anniversary. For Clinician I, the current Step 1 rate for this position is $42.07/hr, and the current Step 6 rate for this position is $46.45/hr. For Clinician II, the current Step 1 rate for this position is $54.30/hr, and the current Step 6 rate for this position is $59.96/hr. In addition to our competitive salaries, we pay a shift differential for certain shifts in our 24-hour programs as follows: (Only 1 differential -whichever is highest will apply at a time). 6.25% additional pay for overnight (NOC) shift from 11 pm to 7 am 4.75% additional pay for evening shift from 5:30 pm to 10:59 pm 4.75% additional pay for weekend shifts from 12:01 am on Saturday thru 11:59pm on Sunday

The goals are to reintegrate the client back into the community by focusing on interpersonal and independent living skills, as well as developing community support systems. Our programs provide a stabilizing environment, a multitude of self-help skills and a plan to assist client's transition back into the community to practice what they have learned while in the program.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Provide clinical leadership in areas of comprehensive assessments, case conferences, treatment plans and strategic interventions to ensure quality service delivery.
  2. Serve as a lead member of the treatment team and participate in crisis intervention and provide clinical supervision and direct services, as assigned and within scope of practice.
  3. Provide orientation, consultation, and/or coordination within work team to ensure that service delivery, including assessment, crisis intervention, treatment, discharge planning, and communication of significant information meet the needs of clients, families and payors and reflect sound clinical judgment;
  4. Provide clinical leadership and training and guidance to staff, interns and volunteers, within scope of practice, consistent with agency standards, practices and policies;
  5. Provide appropriate consultation and back up to support other staff in responding to client crisis;
  6. Develop, review, evaluate and/or sign documentation, including those requiring LPHA signature.
  7. Provide treatment services, training, and support to clients, both individually and within groups, and associated services to clients' families and/or representatives to develop and improve skills related to physical and mental health care needs.
  8. Interview clients and clients' representatives to gather pertinent demographic and psychosocial information;
  9. Complete strengths assessments and needs analyses with clients and families;
  10. Develop goal-oriented, time-limited, comprehensive plans in cooperation with client and/or clients' representatives;
  11. Facilitate and/or lead groups through rehabilitation counseling processes that help develop and strengthen life, coping and independent living skills; develop curriculums;
  12. Assist clients with understanding their problems and developing plans to resolve them;
  13. Maintain regular communication with families and authorized third parties involved in the rehabilitation process;
  14. Coordinate needed services for clients, their families, and others who are significant to the service plans;
  15. Make referrals to other public and private social services and community agencies and resources to meet clients' and their families' needs.
  16. Develop recommendations for discharge and follow-up treatment planning for clients and their families.
  17. Complete comprehensive reassessments prior to expiration of current treatment plans.
  18. Maintain timely, accurate, and complete clinical records and other required documentation and produce clear, accurate reports in accordance with agency, payor and regulatory requirement, utilizing paper or computer technology.
  19. Provide assessment and intervention in response to client crisis, including necessary follow up and using appropriate consultation; provide coverage in emergency situations.
  20. Assist Program Manager in maintaining compliance with CARF, contract, Agency, and regulatory requirements.
  21. Provide transportation in personal or agency vehicle, including but not limited to the transportation of clients and/or program supplies for agency business.
  22. Provide on-call coverage and participate in after-hours rotation, as assigned.
  23. Perform First Aid in emergency situations, if assigned to residential facilities.
  24. Attend and participate in staff, program, agency and community meetings and training, as required.
  25. Meet continuing education requirements to satisfy regulatory, accreditation, and Agency requirements and ensure continued professional growth and knowledge of current trends in mental health.
  26. Participate in management of team/program discretionary resources available to meet client needs.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities Required: (E = Essential; D = Desired)

  1. Master's degree in the mental health profession and one year's experience working in human services settings; (E) in a mental health setting and/or with targeted populations. (D) (Doctorate education and licensing may be substituted, where appropriate.)
  2. Eligibility for waiver and apply for registration and waiver upon hire or as soon as regulations allow and obtain waiver within six months of hire date. (E)
  3. Eligibility for registration from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) OR eligibility for registration from the California Board of Psychology (BOP) as a Registered Psychologist or a Psychological Assistant.
  4. First Aid Certification or successful completion of First Aid Certification within 30 days of hire, if assigned to residential facilities. (E)
  5. Meet government and/or regulatory standards for continuing education credits and recertification, including a minimum of 20 hours of directly related professional training, if assigned to a residential facility. (E)
  6. Proven typing speed of 30 net wpm (E); 40 net wpm (D); computer literacy; ability to use MS Office applications—Word; Excel; Outlook—and Windows-based databases at a basic level; (E) familiarity with UNIX-based databases. (D)
  7. Demonstrated ability to:
  • Work independently and in a small team environment; (E)
  • Organize and manage a caseload; manage multiple tasks and demands on a timely basis; (E)
  • Engage and communicate effectively with others in both verbal and written English; legible handwriting; (E)
  • Conceptualize and prioritize the problems of mentally disordered individuals, determining their needs, services, and appropriate treatment methods; (E)
  • Monitor and support developmental growth and the recovery process; (E)
  • Effectively conduct and facilitate group rehabilitation services; (E)
  • Maintain timely, accurate and complete medical charts and client records and prepare reports; (E)
  • Employ tact and diplomacy, exercise good judgment, and act calmly in emergency situations; (E)
  • Work from a strengths-based, harm-reduction, social rehabilitation model; (E)
  • Work effectively with persons differing in value systems, ethnicity, cultural backgrounds, language capabilities and disabilities; (E)
  • Work collaboratively with individuals identified as those with serious mental illness who meet the following criteria: histories of hospitalization, institutionalization, including with the criminal justice system, substance abuse, low engagement in medication treatment, and difficulty in participating in structured activities and living independently; (E)
  • Work with populations identified as high risk and/or considered under-represented in the County Mental Health system with multiple barriers; (D)
  • Exhibit exemplary customer service, compassion, and care in the execution of all duties and interactions. (E)
  • Demonstrated ability to work with participants who:
    • May also have histories of assaultive behavior; (D)
    • May have resided in long term care facilities for extended periods; (D)
    • May have patterns of service that relied almost exclusively on emergency and institutional care; (D