As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Substance Abuse Technician in the United States is $39,234 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, a Substance Abuse Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Substance Abuse Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Substance Abuse Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Substance Abuse Technician | $37,340 |
| Intermediate Level Substance Abuse Technician | $37,627 |
| Senior Level Substance Abuse Technician | $39,951 |
| Specialist Level Substance Abuse Technician | $42,710 |
| Expert Level Substance Abuse Technician | $42,894 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Substance Abuse Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduling | 35.64% |
| Prior Authorization | 2.45% |
| Microsoft Office | 1.25% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Acute Care
|
$46,297 |
18%
|
|
Decision Making
|
$43,550 |
11%
|
|
Commitment
|
$43,158 |
10%
|
|
Effective Communication
|
$41,981 |
7%
|
|
Patient Safety
|
$41,981 |
7%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$41,981 |
7%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Substance Abuse Technicians enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Substance Abuse Technician with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $43,764 and $45,963).
Substance Abuse Technician Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 63.1% |
| High School | 63.1% |
| Associates | 21.3% |
| Bachelors | 13.1% |
| Masters | 2.5% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Substance Abuse Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for a Substance Abuse Technician can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $41,066 in 2023 to around $41,478 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Substance Abuse Technician salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $41,066 |
| 2024 | $42,520 |
| 2025 | $41,478 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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