Park West Health System logo
Park West Health System
Baltimore, Maryland

SUD Counselor

Addiction CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$60K - $73K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 5mo ago

Job Description

  • Job Location: Baltimore, MD 21215
  • Position Type: Full Time
  • Salary Range: $60,000.00 - $73,000.00 Salary
  • Job Category: Regular

Position Summary The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor provides clinical substance use disorder treatment for HIV positive clients with co-occurring mental illness and/or homelessness.

The Substance Use Counselor is responsible for providing direct care services to adults with substance use disorders in an individual and group setting. The Substance Use Counselor ensures continuity of services across multiple program units providing direct care and services to clients.

Essential Functions Oversee the day-to-day operations of the substance use unit. Provide all services associated with substance use treatment and counseling. Provide rapid screening, assessment, intake, treatment plan, continuity of care, and discharge planning.

Track and report monthly performance measures and monitor annual goals. Evaluate the effectiveness of the unit and provide a monthly written narrative of outcomes, achievements, barriers, and networking opportunities.

Provide crisis interventions with clients including home visits and other interactions with emergency contacts. Ensure program compliance with service definitions and “best practice” guidelines.

Ensure substance use standards are followed and observed during quality of care reviews conducted by external auditors including Ryan White and Joint Commission. Engage in outreach efforts on behalf of the agency to reengage and recruit new clients.

Attend provider meetings with other substance use staff to discuss standards of care. Attend all staff, Clinical Care team, viral suppression meetings and required trainings. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications College degree in substance use disorders with a CAC-AD or CSC-AD licensure Two years’ experience in a clinical environment; one year in an administrative capacity Relevant experience and sensitivity to HIV/AIDS; African Americans and other vulnerable populations and the issues faced.

An awareness of Ryan White standards of care and clinical quality management practices. Skills Motivated, organized, and detail-oriented. Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written). Ability to multi-task and handle several substance use components at one time.

Ability to meet deadlines and to function independently under dynamic circumstances is critical. Proficient computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office applications – specifically Excel, Word, and Outlook required.

Key Responsibilities

Provide clinical substance use disorder treatment and direct care services to HIV positive clients with co-occurring mental illness or homelessness. Oversee day-to-day operations of the substance use unit, including screening, intake, and ensuring compliance with Ryan White and Joint Commission standards.

Requirements

Requires a college degree in substance use disorders and CAC-AD or CSC-AD licensure. Candidates must have two years of clinical experience, including one year in an administrative capacity, and sensitivity to vulnerable populations.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentCrisis InterventionTreatment PlanningCase ManagementInterpersonal CommunicationMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookMulti-tasking

Substance Use Disorder — Counselor Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Maryland is 105.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$67k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $63k in an average-cost state. 62.9% of Maryland clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 40 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 20% are remote, 55% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

What does the Substance Use / Addiction Counselor market look like in Maryland?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.6 / 10 · top 25% in substance use / addiction counselorranked against 1,008 Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$60k–$73kSubstance Use / Addiction Counselor median $64k (middle half $59k–$67k)14 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$63k in purchasing powerMaryland index 105.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
All substance use / addiction counselor listings in Maryland393 active12,843 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 20% remote · 55% no call · 70% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedMaryland counselor listings (all specialties): 13% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 8% offer loan repayment393 active listings, Nov 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (1,008 Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page. Maryland figures use all substance use / addiction counselors: too few Maryland Substance Use Disorder postings state pay.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates SUD Counselor at Park West Health System a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Substance Use / Addiction Counselor — ranked against 1,008 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Substance Use / Addiction Counselor Jobs

20 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

20 jobs · 16 employers
3
<$65k
7
$65k-75k
6
$75k-85k
3
$85k-95k
1
$95k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

18 jobs · 16 employers
401k / retirement match
94%
CME allowance
39%
Sign-on bonus
22%
Loan repayment
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Therapist (Associate or Licensed) - Co-Occurring Mental Health & Substance Use

Recover Medical Group · San Diego, California

$80k-$95k
#2

Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation · New York, New York

$68k-$90k
#3

SUD Counselor - WellConnect

$39.08-$43.15/hr
#4

Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor

$75k-$85k
+ 18 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.6
Better work-life than 80% of Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,008 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site

Living in Baltimore

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$203k≈ 3.4× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,762/mo≈ 35% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
29 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
104.5
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.