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Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Dayton, OH

Alto Health Care Staffing

LCDC - Weekend

Dayton, OH

$21.75 - $29.25/hr

Provide counseling and support to clients and their families, addressing substance abuse issues, co-occurring disorders, and related challenges. * Facilitate group therapy sessions, psychoeducational ...

Argon Agency

Substance Use Primary Therapist

Dayton, OH · On-site

$70K/yr

Qualifications: * Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field ... Experience working in a residential or outpatient substance abuse treatment setting. * Familiarity ...

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How much do entry level substance abuse counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level substance abuse counselor in Dayton, OH is $24.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.82 and $28.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor Do?

As an entry-level substance abuse counselor, your job is to help protect and support the mental health of a patient and guide them through the rehabilitation process. In this role, you may discuss drug and alcohol abuse with each client, determine whether or not they need an intervention, and create a personalized therapy or treatment plan based on their unique needs. This job title can be confusing because some substance abuse counselors perform counseling work before becoming licensed counselors, so be sure to check whether any job posting you are interested in is for recent college graduates or for fully-licensed counselors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor, you generally need a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field, along with knowledge of addiction theories and treatment modalities. Familiarity with case management software, electronic health records, and sometimes state-specific certification or licensure is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, active listening, and empathy help counselors build trust and effectively support clients through recovery. These skills and qualifications are crucial for providing effective treatment, ensuring compliance with regulations, and fostering meaningful client progress.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level substance abuse counselors when working with clients?

Entry level substance abuse counselors often encounter challenges such as building trust with clients who may be hesitant to engage or have a history of relapse. Managing emotional boundaries is also important, as clients may share difficult experiences that can be emotionally taxing. Additionally, counselors must navigate complex family dynamics and coordinate care with other professionals, such as social workers and medical staff, to provide comprehensive support. Developing effective communication and self-care strategies can help new counselors manage these challenges and thrive in the role.

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

AspectEntry Level Substance Abuse CounselorSubstance Abuse Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certification may be preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; certification often required
Work EnvironmentCounseling sessions, treatment centers, clinicsAssist in treatment settings, support counseling activities
Employer & IndustryRehab centers, clinics, mental health facilitiesRehab facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics
Job Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level roles involving client interaction and counselingOften searched as a related support role in substance abuse treatment

In summary, Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselors and Substance Abuse Technicians both work in addiction treatment settings, often requiring similar certifications. Counselors typically engage directly in client counseling and treatment planning, while Technicians support these activities. Both roles are essential in the treatment process and are commonly sought by individuals starting their careers in substance abuse treatment.

More about Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Substance Abuse Counselor jobs in Dayton, OH? The most popular types of Substance Abuse Counselor jobs in Dayton, OH are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor jobs in Dayton, OH? For Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor jobs in Dayton, OH, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor jobs in Dayton, OH look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor jobs in Dayton, OH are:
What cities near Dayton, OH are hiring for Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor jobs? Cities near Dayton, OH with the most Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor job openings:
Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor jobs near you
Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance Abuse Counselor

Community Medical Services

Kettering, OH • On-site

$21.50 - $29.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Schedule: Monday - Friday 5:15am - 1:15pm
Community Medical Services (CMS) is hiring a Substance Abuse Counselor to assist patients recovering from addictions to opioids and other illicit substances. Whether facilitating individual or group sessions, or assisting patients with treatment plans and coping strategies, your work will help foster a safe place for anyone looking to start their recovery journey with us.
As part of our mission to help individuals recover from substance use disorders, you'll thrive in a supportive, engaging, and fulfilling work environment where your contributions are valued.
Along the way, we'll invest in your well-being through a benefits package for full-time employees that includes:
  • Subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Short and long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid sick, vacation, and holiday time
  • 401K retirement plan with match
  • Tuition and CME reimbursement up to 100%
  • Employee assistance program to support your mental health and wellness
  • Ongoing professional development

We're looking for someone who:
  • Is excited to work in an outpatient setting, much like a doctor's office or behavioral health clinic.
  • Enjoys a consistent schedule.
  • Is open to working with multi-cultural and low socio-economic individuals.

To thrive in this role, you must be able to:
  • Maintain and manage a caseload in compliance with regulatory standards and ratios.
  • Conduct individual sessions, facilitate group counseling and didactic educational presentations.
  • Complete comprehensive behavioral health assessments and individualized treatment plans, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and unique client needs.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of treatment through the ongoing assessment of the client and his/her natural supports that may result in modification to the service plan.
  • Coordinate care with other recovery and community-based service providers, engage in case management activity by sending referrals, completing documentation necessary to secure services, maintain chart compliance, etc.
  • Include family and natural supports in the client's treatment, per the client's preference.
  • Maintain and apply knowledge of new developments in the field of substance use as required by specific state licensure.
  • Maintain a collegian relationship with other substance use professionals, programs, and associations.
  • Maintain a thorough and comprehensive client record.
  • Serve as the point of contact for coordination and communication with other systems where clinical knowledge of the case is crucial.
  • Assist in screening and coordinating primary care services for clients.

Requirements
  • Combination of ONE of the following education and licensure levels required
  • High school diploma or GED and active CDCA license
  • CDCA - Preliminary licensure acceptable
  • Associates degree in Behavioral Science and active LCDC II license
  • Bachelor's degree in Science and active LCDC III license
  • Master's degree in Behavioral Science and active LICDC license
  • Behavioral health experience preferred

#CONSL
About Community Medical Services
Community Medical Services (CMS) is a CARF-accredited addiction treatment program providing services in the form of outpatient medication-assisted treatment and one-on-one and group counseling to those seeking help with their opioid use disorder. Headquartered in Arizona with more than 70 treatment clinics in 14 states, CMS is dedicated to meeting the challenges presented by the growing opioid epidemic in communities where treatment is lacking.
Our Commitment
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Other Conditions
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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