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$15

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How much do substance use counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for substance use counselor in Renton, WA is $28.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.09 and $32.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Substance Use Counselor?

A Substance Use Counselor is a mental health professional who helps individuals struggling with drug, alcohol, or other substance dependencies. They assess clients’ needs, develop treatment plans, provide counseling, and support clients through recovery. Substance Use Counselors may work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, or community organizations, often collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Their goal is to help clients understand their addiction, develop coping strategies, and maintain long-term sobriety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Substance Use Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Substance Use Counselor, you need a background in counseling, psychology, or social work—often with a relevant degree and state licensure or certification. Familiarity with case management systems, assessment tools, and evidence-based treatment modalities such as CBT or motivational interviewing is common. Strong interpersonal skills, active listening, and cultural sensitivity help build trust and rapport with clients. These competencies are essential for providing effective support, fostering recovery, and navigating the complexities of addiction treatment.

What are some common challenges Substance Use Counselors face when working with clients, and how are these typically addressed within the team?

Substance Use Counselors often encounter challenges such as client relapse, resistance to treatment, and co-occurring mental health disorders. These issues are typically addressed through regular team meetings, case consultations, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals like social workers and psychiatrists. Counselors also receive ongoing training and supervision to stay updated on best practices and to ensure they have the support needed to manage complex cases. This team-based approach helps provide comprehensive care and promotes the counselor's professional growth.

What is the difference between Substance Use Counselor vs Addiction Therapist?

AspectSubstance Use CounselorAddiction Therapist
CredentialsCertification (e.g., CADC, CAC)Licensed or certified in addiction counseling
Work EnvironmentRehabilitation centers, outpatient clinicsRehab facilities, mental health clinics
Industry UsageCommonly used in healthcare and community programsOften used interchangeably with Substance Use Counselor

Both roles focus on helping individuals overcome substance abuse, often requiring similar certifications and working in comparable environments. The main difference lies in terminology preference, with 'Addiction Therapist' sometimes implying a broader scope of mental health treatment. However, in practice, these titles are often used interchangeably in the industry.

What job categories do people searching Substance Use Counselor jobs in Renton, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Substance Use Counselor jobs in Renton, WA are:
What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for Substance Use Counselor jobs? Cities near Renton, WA with the most Substance Use Counselor job openings:
Substance Use Counselor jobs near you
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TRAINEE

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TRAINEE

Seattle Indian Health Board

Seattle, WA • On-site

$24 - $26.92/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Seattle Indian Health Board rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Description
SIHB Core Competencies
Core Competencies are foundational commitments and skills that all SIHB staff are expected to develop. These competencies define common measures for performance that are applied to every role in the organization.
  • Commitment to Indigenous and Organizational Values: Everything we do at SIHB is centered on Traditional Indian Medicine. It is our responsibility to maintain cultural integrity in all that we do.
  • Accountability: All employees of SIHB effectively manage their own work and the work of their teams. We take ownership of our actions and decisions. We all strive to deliver the highest quality work and care, while respecting our teammates and relatives.
  • Collaboration: SIHB is a team-oriented organization. As team members, we share the responsibility of working toward a common purpose. We collaborate with our colleagues across the organization to deliver the highest quality of care and results in alignment with our mission, vision, values, and Theory of Change.
  • Communication: We practice effective and clear communication with staff, relatives, teams and community. We demonstrate empathy among each other and with those we serve, and transparency in our decision making.
  • Customer Service Orientation: All employees of SIHB recognize the needs of the diverse community we serve. We put the needs of our relatives first by delivering the highest quality, professional, responsive, and innovative care. Our relatives come first and deserve the best.

Position Summary
SIHB understands the importance of growing a workforce of culturally attuned substance use disorder (SUD) professionals. This SUD Trainee position allows those that have completed their required SUD training to gain direct experience and accrue the hours required for independent practice under the direct clinical supervision of SUDP identified by Behavioral Health leadership. The SUD trainee and their clinical supervisor will perform clinical functions together until clinical competencies are documented sufficiently to allow you to perform them independently. In accordance with WAC 388-877-0520, the requirement states that monitoring and signature of clinical supervisor be on all written documents that are entered into patient charts. The agency will adhere to WAC 388-877-0520 relating to supervision of SUDP trainees.
Organizational Structure/Reporting Relationships
This position reports directly to the Substance Use Disorder Clinical Supervisor.
All duties are performed under direct supervision of the clinical supervisor (SUDP) identified by Behavioral Health leadership.
Organizational Responsibilities
  • Hold Indigenous values and practices with respect and integrity
  • Hold yourself accountable to the highest standard by being resourceful, innovative, creative and solutions-oriented
  • Actively participate in organizational activities with the understanding that success is achieved through teamwork.
  • Recognize that communication is central to the organization's success and actively champion your words and actions to maintain respect for others, encourage constructive feedback, be open to share laughter and acknowledge differences in skills and opinions, all while keeping others' best intentions in mind.
  • At SIHB, we refer to our customers as Relatives. Our Relatives come first and deserve the best. Serve the needs of our Relatives first by delivering the highest quality, professional, responsive, and innovative care.

Job Responsibilities
  • Delivery of effective treatment services to the assigned caseload.
  • Participation in the development and design of effective treatment and prevention activities.
  • Delivery of alcohol/drug educational information for services to relatives, family, and/or community.
  • Case management relating to counselor and the relatives activities.
  • Understanding of Native American Health, social, and cultural factors and ability to work with this population.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements
  • Successful competition of all required classes for SUDP credentialing.
  • Desire to serve and familiarity with the health and social issues facing the AI/AN populations.
  • Successful completion of a background check.

Preferred:
Experience working in the substance use disorder field or human services is preferred.
Ability
Desire to serve and familiarity with the health and social issues facing the AI/AN populations.
Valid WA State Driver's license and able and eligible to drive agency vehicle preferred.
Excellent written and communication skills.

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