Disciplines / LCDC / CADC
Substance Use Counselor (LCDC / CADC)
Substance use counselors deliver assessment, individual and group treatment across outpatient, IOP, residential and MAT programs.
- Advertised pay
- $48k – $70k
- Credential
- State certification or licensure (CADC, LCDC, LADC and equivalents)
- Live roles
- None open today
What is a Substance Use Counselor (LCDC / CADC), and what does the role pay?
What the role does
- Complete ASAM-based assessments and level-of-care decisions
- Deliver individual and group treatment
- Support MAT programs alongside prescribers
- Coordinate aftercare and recovery supports
Credential and route in
State certification or licensure (CADC, LCDC, LADC and equivalents) · State substance use certification boards; IC&RC
- 1Education requirement varies by state and credential level
- 2Supervised clinical hours in a substance use setting
- 3State examination
- 4Certification and continuing education
Advertised pay
| Career stage | Advertised pay | What typically sits behind it |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $48k | Newly credentialed, supervised caseload |
| Mid-career | $58k | Full caseload, independent, some supervision of others |
| Senior | $70k | Lead or multi-site scope, clinical quality ownership |
Ranges reflect what we typically see advertised on roles we recruit for in the US. They are a market guide, not a survey, and vary by setting, caseload and experience. Last reviewed August 2026.
Full LCDC / CADC salary guideWhere LCDC / CADCs work
Outpatient and IOP · Residential treatment · Detox · MAT clinics · Criminal justice programs
Specialties
- Substance use treatmentDetox, residential, IOP, outpatient and MAT programs across the full continuum of addiction care.
- Inpatient and residentialPsychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers and PHP programs treating high-acuity mental health presentations.
- Community mental healthMedicaid-funded outpatient and community programs delivering therapy, prescribing, case management and crisis services.
Demand right now
Consistently high, with acute pressure in residential and detox settings.
Hiring LCDC / CADCs?
Group sizes, documentation load and shift patterns are the differentiators in this market.
Submit a roleLive LCDC / CADC roles
No live LCDC / CADC roles today. Join the talent network and we will contact you when one opens in your state.
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