Drug Counselor Salary in Maryland - MD

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national workforce of substance abuse counselors will grow by 21% from 2008 to 2018. This industry growth trend has the potential to create approximately 20,000 new jobs across the country during this ten year time span. Consequently, Maryland will also experience rises in employment within the field of substance abuse counseling. Many substance abuse counselors find great job positions in independent living centers, halfway houses, correctional facilities, drug rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and medical centers. Licensed professionals seeking job availability in cities such as Baltimore, Columbia, Silver Spring, and Ellicott City should contact major health care facilities like Franklin Square Hospital Center, Holy Cross Hospital, John Hopkins Medicine, and Prince George’s Hospital Center to inquire about current career opportunities.

Right now most substance abuse counselors in the United States earn an average annual salary of $40,000. Yet, salary expectations tend to shift between geographic areas. In fact, professionals will be pleased to find that the average substance abuse counselor salary in Maryland is actually much closer to $43,000/yr. Those specializing in an aspect within the field like alcoholism counseling and addictive services, human resources management, or rehabilitation research may achieve higher salaries. Here are the current salary averages for the five largest cities in Maryland:

Baltimore:  $41,000/yr
Columbia:  $46,000/yr
Silver Spring:  $46,000/yr
Dundalk:  $40,000/yr
Wheaton:  $46,000/yr