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Peer Support Counselor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

sbhg

Peer Mentor - FT

Orange, CA

$19.25 - $24.75/hr

The Peer Support Counselor will support consumers in moving toward recovery, creating a meaningful role in their life, which is separate from their illness MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Applicants must have ...

sbhg

Peer Mentor - FT

Orange, CA · On-site

$19.25 - $24.75/hr

The Peer Support Counselor will support consumers in moving toward recovery, creating a meaningful role in their life, which is separate from their illness MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Applicants must have ...

mylcs

Peer Support Specialist/Counselor

Spokane, WA · On-site

$17.75 - $22.75/hr

The WISe Peer Resource and Support Specialist will maintain the integrity of the Wraparound process. Peer counselors have lived experience in systems that service children, youth and families. A Peer ...

Anew Behavioral Health

Peer Support

Springfield, OH · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

Work closely with the clinical team, including counselors, therapists, and case managers, to ensure ... The Peer Support Specialist does not supervise. Supervision Received: The Peer Support Specialist ...

Sanford Health

Peer Support | ACT

Bemidji, MN

$19.50 - $26.50/hr

Salary Range: $19.50 - $36.00 Peer Support Advocate: $19.50 - $26.50 | Associate Behavioral Health Counselor: $23.00 - $36.00 Union Position: No Department Details The Assertive Community Treatment ...

Sanford Health

Peer Support | ACT

Bemidji, MN · On-site

$19.50 - $26.50/hr

Associate Behavioral Health Counselor The Associate Behavioral Health Counselor requires a broad ... Peer Support Advocate Works as an integral member of the health care team to ensure safety, best ...

FSS NY

Be Seen First

Peer Support Worker

Hempstead, NY · On-site

$24 - $25/hr

This paid position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference while developing your skills in crisis intervention, counseling, and social support. Duties * Offer empathetic peer support to ...

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How much do peer support counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for peer support counselor in the United States is $20.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $23.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges peer support counselors face when supporting clients, and how can they be addressed?

Peer Support Counselors often encounter challenges such as establishing trust with clients, managing emotional boundaries, and navigating situations where clients are in crisis. Building trust takes time and requires consistent, empathetic communication. Maintaining healthy boundaries is essential to avoid burnout, and most organizations provide supervision or peer support groups to help counselors process their experiences. Additionally, Peer Support Counselors are trained to recognize when a client needs more specialized help and know how to refer them appropriately, ensuring safety for both the client and themselves.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a peer support counselor?

To thrive as a Peer Support Counselor, you need lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges, strong active listening skills, and typically a Peer Support Specialist certification. Familiarity with case management systems, documentation tools, and recovery-oriented resources is valuable. Empathy, nonjudgmental attitude, and effective communication are essential soft skills that foster trust and connection. These skills ensure counselors can authentically support clients, model recovery, and collaborate effectively within mental health teams.

What is the difference between Peer Support Counselor vs Mental Health Technician?

AspectPeer Support CounselorMental Health Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; peer support certification often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; state-specific certification may be required
Work EnvironmentCommunity settings, mental health clinics, peer support groupsHospitals, psychiatric facilities, residential treatment centers
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofit organizations, mental health agencies, community programsHospitals, mental health facilities, inpatient units

Both roles support individuals with mental health challenges, but Peer Support Counselors focus on peer-led support and shared experiences, while Mental Health Technicians provide clinical assistance under supervision. The roles often overlap in settings and credentials, but differ in scope and approach.

What is a peer support counselor?

Peer Support Counselors are individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges or substance use recovery who are trained to support others facing similar issues. They use their personal experiences to provide empathy, guidance, and encouragement, helping individuals navigate recovery and access resources. Peer Support Counselors often work in mental health organizations, hospitals, or community settings, and their role is to foster hope, resilience, and self-advocacy in those they support.
More about Peer Support Counselor jobs
What cities are hiring for Peer Support Counselor jobs? Cities with the most Peer Support Counselor job openings:
What states have the most Peer Support Counselor jobs? States with the most job openings for Peer Support Counselor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Peer Support Counselor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Peer Support Counselor jobs are:
Peer Support Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Peer Support Counselor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,899 per year, or $20.6 per hour.

Substance Disorder Peer Counselor

Klickitat County, WA

Goldendale, WA • On-site

$40K - $53K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Salary : $40,684.80 - $53,081.60 Annually
Location : Goldendale, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00021
Department: Behavioral Health
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Basic Job Purpose/Function
The Substance Use Disorder Peer Counselor is a client advocate that will be responsible for providing guidance and support to individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders by leveraging their own lived experience of recovery. The Peer Counselor should be able to offer empathetic listening, assist clients and families in navigating recovery resources locally and regionally, facilitate groups, and collaborate with the Klickitat County Behavioral Health team and other healthcare professionals to develop personalized recovery plans.
The Peer Counselor must be willing to ensure a safe and non-judgmental environment to encourage client's commitment to sobriety and overall wellbeing.
Essential Job Duties
  1. Providing Peer Support: Offer empathetic and non-judgmental support to clients based on shared experiences of substance use and recovery.
  2. Conduct Peer Counseling Sessions: Facilitate one on one and group counseling sessions to discuss recovery goals, challenges, and coping strategies.
  3. Resource Navigation: Assist clients in identifying and accessing community and regional resources, treatment programs, and support services.
  4. Monitoring Progress: Regularly check in with clients to monitor their progress, provide encouragement and adjust recovery plans as necessary.
  5. Educational Outreach: Provide education about substance use disorders, recovery processes, and healthy lifestyle choices to clients and their families, this may include outreach activities, community education and functions that are outside normal business hours.
  6. Crisis Intervention: Respond to clients in crisis, providing immediate support and connecting them with emergency services if necessary.
  7. Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in the department electronic medical record of client interactions, progress, and any referrals made in accordance with department policies and procedures.
  8. Advocacy: Advocate for clients' needs within the healthcare system and community services to ensure they receive appropriate care and support.
  9. Professional Development: Participate in ongoing training and development opportunities to stay informed about evidence-based practices in substance use disorder treatment and peer counseling. Attend local, regional and state conferences when approved by department leadership.
  10. Professionalism: Maintain a high standard of professionalism by adhering to ethical guidelines as outlined at the Washington Department of Health; County and department policies. Demonstrate reliability, respecting confidentiality, and presenting a positive image of the organization.
  11. Collaboration: Work closely with other counselors, healthcare professionals, and support staff to ensure comprehensive care for clients. Participate in on-going support network with other Peer Support Counselor(s) and other substance use professional staff.
  12. Communication: Clearly and effectively communicate with clients, families, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure understanding, convey important information, and build strong supportive relationships in the department, with clients, and with the community.
  13. Promoting a Recovery Oriented Environment: Encourage a culture of recovery within the organization and community by sharing positive recovery stories and fostering hope.
  14. May be called to support the crisis team to provide coordinated care, ensuring clients receive timely and appropriate crisis intervention services.
  15. May be called to testify in court.
  16. Performs other duties as assigned.

While this description is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the Peer Counselor position, management and supervisor reserves the right to modify , add, or remove duties as necessary.
Requirements/Minimum Qualifications
  • High School Diploma or GED required
  • Additional Coursework or certification in peer counseling, addiction studies or a related field is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Lived Experience: Personal experience with substance use disorder and recovery. This is important for establishing credibility and empathy with clients, at least one year of sobriety is preferred.
  • Advocacy Experience: Membership in or affiliation with consumer advocacy groups is preferred indicating a commitment to advocating for the rights and needs of individuals with substance use disorders.
  • Peer Support Experience: Prior experience in a peer support role, either formally or informally, is preferred.
  • Resource Navigation: Familiarity with local community and regional resources, treatment programs, and support services for individuals with substance use disorders.
  • Knowledge of SUD Treatment Strategies: Understanding of various substance abuse disorder treatment strategies, including behavioral therapies, 12- step programs, harm reduction approaches, and other evidence-based practices such as SMART, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous.
  • Crisis and Conflict Mitigation: Ability to manage crisis and conflict mitigation through de-escalation techniques, conflict resolution strategies, and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
  • Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with clients, families, multidisciplinary teams and the community.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build trust and rapport with clients through empathy, active listening, and shared experiences.
  • Confidentiality: Commitment to maintaining client confidentiality and adhering to ethical guidelines, HIPAA/FERPA and CFR 42 part 2 as it specifically pertains to Behavioral Health programs.
  • Professionalism: Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, time management and the ability to maintain professional boundaries.
  • Cultural Competence: Sensitivity to and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences.
  • Team Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, supporting colleagues and contributing to a collaborative environment in the department, the County, and the Region.
  • Flexibility: Willingness to work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to meet client needs.
  • Technology Skills: Basic proficiency in using computers, copiers, fax machines, phones and electronic medical record systems for documentation and communication. Familiarity with current computer software including Google Sheets and Google Docs.

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements
  1. Background Check: Ability to pass a criminal background check, as required by Washington State Law.
  2. Driver's License: Ability to be a licensed driver in Washington State or a Washington State Driver's License.
  3. Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor: Must be Eligible for registration as a Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor with the Washington State Department of Health. Must obtain Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor credential within 90 days of hire.
  4. Certified Peer Counselor: Must be able to meet all Washington State Department of Health requirements for course work and supervised experience for certification as a Certified Peer Counselor. Must obtain Certified Peer Counselor credential within 90 days of hire.

Klickitat County offers a generous benefit package which includes: Vacation, sick and paid holiday leave along with medical, dental, vision and life and LTD insurance and substantial County contributions towards premiums and a retirement package through the Washington State Department of Retirement System. Additionally, employees are offered a flexible spending account, two Deferred Compensation programs, voluntary life and LTD insurance, AFLAC coverage and a variety of on-going training programs.
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