Drug Counselor Salary in Arizona - AZ

Drug counselor salary in the state of Arizona averages about $39,000 per year, which is 12 percent lower that the average national annual salary for positions in the field of substance abuse counseling.  Prospective substance abuse counselors should keep in mind that the average wage for substance abuse counselors in Arizona may fluctuate from city to city within the state. For instance, the average annual salary for a drug counselor is $37,000 per year in Phoenix and $36,000 per year in Tucson.  Several factors play a role in these geographical fluctuations, including the level of demand for substance abuse counselors within a particular region.  In general, demand for substance abuse counselors is greater in rural areas than in urban or suburban areas. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of substance abuse counselor positions to grow by 21 percent in the coming decade, much faster than the national average for all occupations.  In addition, the number of available positions will likely exceed the number of individuals graduating from substance abuse training programs.  Thus, demand for trained substance abuse counselors will remain strong for the foreseeable future.   Demand will be fueled largely by an increase in education and knowledge concerning addiction which will lead to more addicted individuals seeking treatment and substance abuse counseling.