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Substance abuse counselors

Substance abuse counselor jobs in Tennessee

open substance abuse counselor jobs in Tennessee at . BLS measures a median of $23.84 an hour (source: BLS OEWS May 2025, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Tennessee) for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors here.

Newest substance abuse counselor jobs in Tennessee

Checked 13 Nov 2026, 07:47 UTC

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Where the substance abuse counselor jobs are in Tennessee

Towns with the most open jobs in this occupation. A town with a page lists every care job open there, by occupation.

What substance abuse counselors earn in Tennessee

The hourly pay open jobs here post, beside what BLS measured people employed in the occupation earned in the state and its metro areas.

Posted on open jobs in Tennessee

Too few open jobs here post an hourly rate for a typical range (it takes eight from three employers).

Measured by BLS in Tennessee, May 2025

$23.84/hr ($49,580 a year) (source: BLS OEWS May 2025, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Tennessee)

Median for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, against $28.53 (source: BLS OEWS May 2025, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, national) for the whole US; 9,040 (source: BLS OEWS May 2025, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Tennessee) employed in Tennessee. BLS does not measure specialties: these are the figures for mental health therapists.

By metro area

  • Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN$24.43/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN) · 3,440 (source: BLS OEWS, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN) employed
  • Memphis, TN-MS-AR$24.17/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Memphis, TN-MS-AR) · 1,560 (source: BLS OEWS, Memphis, TN-MS-AR) employed
  • Knoxville, TN$23.52/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Knoxville, TN) · 1,060 (source: BLS OEWS, Knoxville, TN) employed
  • Chattanooga, TN-GA$26.57/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Chattanooga, TN-GA) · 600 (source: BLS OEWS, Chattanooga, TN-GA) employed
  • Clarksville, TN-KY$21.14/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Clarksville, TN-KY) · 590 (source: BLS OEWS, Clarksville, TN-KY) employed
  • Jackson, TN$22.36/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Jackson, TN) · 420 (source: BLS OEWS, Jackson, TN) employed
  • Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA$23.67/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA) · 250 (source: BLS OEWS, Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA) employed
  • Johnson City, TN$22.59/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Johnson City, TN) · 220 (source: BLS OEWS, Johnson City, TN) employed
  • Cleveland, TN$21.55/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Cleveland, TN) · 110 (source: BLS OEWS, Cleveland, TN) employed
  • Morristown, TN$24.52/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Morristown, TN) · 50 (source: BLS OEWS, Morristown, TN) employed

BLS OEWS May 2025 metropolitan area estimates for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors; areas that cross a state line list every state.

What mental health and social work jobs in Tennessee offer

Counted from each job's own posting, the same reading as the lists across the state.

Employers hiring substance abuse counselors in Tennessee

What the job takes

A state counselor credential; requirements run from a high school diploma with training hours to a master's degree.

  • Depends on the state

    Alcohol and drug counselor credential

    State certification board; exams by IC&RC. Each state sets its own credential

Where people train for it in Tennessee

10 people finished substance abuse counselor programs at 2 schools in Tennessee in 2023-24. The schools with the most graduates:

Schools with the most graduates of substance abuse counselor programs in Tennessee, 2023-24
SchoolTownGraduates
Southwest Tennessee Community CollegeMemphis7
University of MemphisMemphis3

Graduates of every award level, from short certificates to degrees, at the schools that report to the federal survey (those in the federal student aid system): short courses run by employers, the Red Cross or adult education are not counted. Online schools count where they are based, so a school teaching online across the country appears in its home state. From the U.S. Department of Education's completions survey, 2023-24: nces.ed.gov/ipeds (source: the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS))

Run a program? See your school's graduates beside the jobs open for them.

Substance abuse counselor jobs in Tennessee: common questions

How much do substance abuse counselors make in Tennessee?

Too few open substance abuse counselor jobs in Tennessee post an hourly rate for a typical posted range yet. BLS measured a median of $23.84/hr ($49,580 a year) for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Tennessee (May 2025), against $28.53 nationally, 47th highest of 52 states and territories. BLS does not measure specialties: these are the figures for mental health therapists.

Where in Tennessee are the most substance abuse counselor jobs?

Chattanooga (2), Knoxville (2), Burns (1), Cleveland (1) and Greeneville (1). A job open in several towns counts in each.

Who is hiring substance abuse counselors in Tennessee?

By open jobs on this board: Crossroads Treatment Centers (7), Acadia Healthcare (2) and Groups Recover Together (1). In all, 3 employers have substance abuse counselor jobs open in Tennessee.

Are substance abuse counselors in demand in Tennessee?

10 substance abuse counselor jobs are open in Tennessee today at 3 employers on this board, about 1.1 for every 1,000 substance abuse counselors employed there (BLS counts 9,040, May 2025). Across the US, BLS projects employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors to grow 18.4% over 2025-2035. BLS does not measure specialties: these are the figures for mental health therapists.

Which mental health and social work jobs in Tennessee are hiring immediately?

3 of the open mental health and social work jobs here say so in their own posting: Behavior Technician (BT) / Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at BlueSprig (...hours and provide consistency through multiple client opportunities Immediate openings available,...); Case Manager at Encompass Health (Case Manager Career Opportunity Walk-In Interviews held every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30...); Mental Health Technician Days and Nights Available at Perimeter Healthcare (Perimeter Behavioral of Jackson, TN has an immediate opening for a Mental Health Technician/Youth Care...).

Which mental health and social work jobs in Tennessee pay weekly?

10 of the open mental health and social work jobs here say so in their own posting: Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Carry On Therapy (...and full-time opportunities available Remote work opportunities Weekly pay on Tuesdays $250 hire-on...); Clinic Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Carry On Therapy (...work-life balance Part-time and full-time opportunities available Weekly pay on Tuesday $250 hire-on...); Remote Spanish Speaking Behavior Analyst at Carry On Therapy (...of beginning to bill for the assessment, whichever occurs first Weekly pay on Tuesdays Referral bonus...). Every such job in Tennessee.

Which mental health and social work jobs in Tennessee offer daily pay?

10 of the open mental health and social work jobs here say so in their own posting: Behavioral Health Associate 1 at Acadia Healthcare (...dental, and vision insurance Company paid short term disability Earned wage access 401(k) plan, with a...); Occuptional Therapist FT PT PRN Ahava Healthcare of Clarksville at Ahava Therapy Services (...team ➡️ Benefits- (Full-Time Employees) Competitive Pay & Daily Pay Option Medical, Dental, Vision...); Behavior Technician (BT) / Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at BlueSprig (...paid training and company-paid RBT certification — no experience Daily Pay — choose when you get paid...). Every such job in Tennessee.

Which mental health and social work jobs in Tennessee want bilingual staff?

8 of the open mental health and social work jobs here say so in their own posting: Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LCSW, LMSW, LMFT, LPC, or LPCC) – Partner Practice Opportunities at ARC Health Partners (Bilingual. ...specific populations (children, adolescents, couples, trauma, etc.) Bilingual or...); Remote Spanish Speaking Behavior Analyst at Carry On Therapy (Bilingual: Spanish. ...plans Provide clinical services and caregiver training in both English and Spanish...); Spanish-Speaking Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at Carry On Therapy (Bilingual: Spanish. ...Registered Behavior Technician certification and are fluent in both English and...). Every such job in Tennessee.

Which mental health and social work jobs in Tennessee offer a sign-on bonus?

19 of the open mental health and social work jobs here say so in their own posting: Board Certified Behavior Analyst ( BCBA ) at Acadia Healthcare ($10,000 sign-on bonus); Substance Use Counselor IV at Acadia Healthcare ($5,000 sign-on bonus); Board Certified Behavior Analyst - (BCBA) $5000 SIGN ON BONUS at Associates in Pediatric Therapy ($5,000 sign-on bonus). Every such job in Tennessee.

Which mental health and social work jobs in Tennessee offer relocation assistance?

12 of the open mental health and social work jobs here say so in their own posting: BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) - , Clarksville, TN at Hopebridge (...PFA/SBT, HRE, PEAK, and neurodiversity-affirming practices). Relocation Assistance: Relocation packages...); BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) - , Collierville, TN at Hopebridge (...PFA/SBT, HRE, PEAK, and neurodiversity-affirming practices). Relocation Assistance: Relocation packages...); BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) - , Gallatin, TN at Hopebridge (...PFA/SBT, HRE, PEAK, and neurodiversity-affirming practices). Relocation Assistance: Relocation packages...). Every such job in Tennessee.

What do you need to work as a substance abuse counselor in Tennessee?

A state counselor credential; requirements run from a high school diploma with training hours to a master's degree. Alcohol and drug counselor credential (State certification board; exams by IC&RC; each state sets its own credential). Where a license is state-issued, it comes from Tennessee's own board, unless a multistate compact covers it.

Where can you train to become a substance abuse counselor in Tennessee?

10 people finished substance abuse counselor programs at 2 schools in Tennessee in 2023-24 (U.S. Department of Education). The most graduates: Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis (7) and University of Memphis in Memphis (3). Online schools count where they are based.

How current are these jobs?

CareJobs.Now reads each employer's own job board every night; a job stays listed while the employer keeps it posted. Each job opens its own page with the employer's full posting and the pay it states. Its Apply goes to the employer's application wherever a job network that works with us carries the same job; elsewhere it offers similar open jobs and recruiters who place that work.

Keep exploring

Substance abuse counselor jobs in other states

Other Mental health occupations in Tennessee

Every healthcare job in Tennessee →Substance abuse counselor jobs →Every occupation →

Sources and method

A job counts here when one of its locations is in Tennessee, once however many locations there it lists. Its occupation is read from its title. Posted pay is the middle half of the distinct hourly rates jobs here state (a job posted many times at one rate counted once), shown when at least three such rates from three employers stand behind it. BLS figures are as published for the state, never adjusted.
  1. CareJobs.Now job board: open jobs in Tennessee, read every night from each employer's own careers site, published 13 Nov 2026
  2. BLS OEWS May 2025: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018), every state, published 15 May 2026
  3. BLS OEWS May 2025: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, national, published 15 May 2026
  4. BLS OEWS May 2025: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors by metropolitan area, published 15 May 2026
  5. Alcohol and drug counselor credential: State certification board; exams by IC&RC
  6. U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2023-24: graduates of substance abuse counselor programs in Tennessee

Cite this page

CareJobs.Now. (2026). Substance abuse counselor jobs in Tennessee. Data as of 13 Nov 2026. https://carejobs.now/occupations/substance-abuse-counselor/tennessee

How the board counts