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Entry Level Addiction Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Addiction information

See Ohio salary details

$19.2K

$46.6K

$79.5K

How much do entry level addiction jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level addiction in Ohio is $46,552.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30,623.00 and $50,733.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 most commonly searched types of Addiction jobs in Ohio?

The most popular types of Addiction jobs in Ohio are:

What cities in Ohio are hiring for Entry Level Addiction jobs?

Cities in Ohio with the most Entry Level Addiction job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Addiction job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,552 per year, or $22.4 per hour.

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Columbus, OH • On-site

$64K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

As a member of a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program team {BHIP), the incumbent will conduct psychosocial assessments, provide crisis intervention, clinical case management, and evidence-based psychotherapy (e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy {CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy {ACT), Problem Solving Therapy {PST), Cognitive Processing Therapy {CPT), etc.) as well as work with the Veteran and the BHIP team to establish treatment plans.Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:
  • Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.).
  • Education. Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: 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 3 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 LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling.
  • Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0183 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment. NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.
    • Exception. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. This exception only applies up to the full performance level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations:
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-9 (Entry Level)
Experience, Education, and Licensure. The GS-9 grade level is the entry grade level for LPMHCs with less than one year of experience(post-master's degree) or for LPMHCs at the master's or doctoral level) who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice level. Unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed in paragraph 3.b., and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
  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 6 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.

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-11(Full Performance Level)
Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph below. LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee. Some state licenses do not license an individual to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs. Please refer to specific state licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervision.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
  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 familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills.
  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/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.
Physical Requirements: The incumbent may be asked to perform physical tasks requiring standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing stairs, and lifting up to 25 lbs.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