5 Metro Areas Where Addiction Counselors Are in High Demand
Updated March 13, 2024 · 2 Min Read
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The realities of addiction affect people from all walks of life. Experts in substance use disorders consider the current trends a public health emergency.
For example, two-thirds of respondents to a 2023 poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation said they or a family member have struggled with drugs or alcohol. The ongoing opioid crisis and the soaring substance misuse rates that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic are major driving factors.
While substance misuse and addiction can affect virtually anyone, some U.S. cities face particularly high rates of disordered substance use. Substance use counselors play a key role in rehabilitating both people and communities.
Are you currently a substance use counselor or looking to transition into the field? To maximize your career impact, consider positions in areas with especially high demand for qualified addiction counselors. Discover five metro areas for substance abuse counselors below.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
List of Cities
Boston, Massachusetts
A 2022 survey found that Massachusetts has the second-highest teen drug use rate of any U.S. state. As the largest city in Massachusetts, Boston has become ground zero for the state's ongoing fight against substance use disorders.
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Boston has one of the highest substance abuse counselor employment rates of any city, with at least 10,000 addiction counselors.
Notably, in May 2022, the BLS also identified the city of New Bedford, about 60 miles south of Boston, as having the highest density of addiction counselor employment of any U.S. metro area.
Denver, Colorado
BLS data indicates very high rates of demand for substance use counselors in the Denver area. In May 2022, the Denver metro area ranked seventh in the United States in substance abuse counselor employment despite having only the 19th-highest population.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Persistent alcohol misuse is a well-established problem throughout Wisconsin, and the city of Milwaukee lies at the center of the issue. Researchers documented Milwaukee as having the highest excessive drinking rate of any U.S. city for three straight years from 2021-2023.
According to the Population Health Institute, binge drinking exacts an annual economic toll of nearly $4 billion per year on Wisconsin's economy. It is not difficult to imagine that counselors trained in substance use disorders could potentially have an impact on this city and culture.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
In November 2023, the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC) found that Oklahoma City residents use addictive hard drugs at very high rates.
Specifically, the USC research team found that 13.8% of Oklahoma City residents have used methamphetamine, and 3.1% have used heroin. USC researchers also placed two Oklahoma cities (Oklahoma City and Tulsa) on their list of the four U.S. cities with the most overall drug use.
Phoenix, Arizona
The Phoenix suburb of Mesa also appeared on USC's list of cities with the most overall drug use. According to the USC research team, 15.1% of Phoenix residents and 14.1% of Mesa residents have used methamphetamines.
In 2022, the United Health Foundation also tracked above-average alcohol misuse rates in Arizona.
Where Do Substance Use Counselors Make the Most Money?
It's true of every profession: different geographic regions offer different pay for different professionals. Substance use counselors are no exception. The BLS data below offers general averages, though keep in mind that experience and education levels can substantially affect these figures. For example, a counselor with an undergraduate degree and two years of experience is likely to earn less than a counselor with a master's degree and 10 years of experience.
According to BLS data from May 2022, counselors trained in substance use disorders earned the highest average salaries in these five U.S. cities:
| Rank | City | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California | $77,420 |
| 2 | Lewiston-Auburn, Maine | $76,590 |
| 3 | Boulder, Colorado | $76,050 |
| 4 | Napa, California | $73,970 |
| 5 | Reno, Nevada | $72,740 |
Where do substance abuse counselors make the most money? Among states, the BLS identifies these as the five top-paying jurisdictions:
| Rank | State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $68,770 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $66,610 |
| 3 | Utah | $65,180 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $65,090 |
| 5 | Nevada | $64,890 |
Despite rising public awareness of substance use disorders and addiction, and increased public sensitivity toward substance misuse, the issue persists as a serious social, economic, and public health problem.
Substance use counselors can make a major difference in the lives of people and communities affected by addiction. To learn more about how to pursue this profession, consult this career resource.
Page last reviewed on March 11, 2024