How exposed are Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors to AI?
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors score 54 out of 100 (High) on the AIRRBridge AI exposure scale, built from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections 2025–35 and O*NET task data. Exposure measures how much of the work AI tools could change. It is not a forecast of job loss.
How this score is built
| BLS AI exposure: High | The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics rates this occupation's relative exposure to AI as high. Exposure measures how much of the work AI tools could change, and BLS notes it does not imply job loss. | 62.5 |
|---|---|---|
| O*NET task mix | How this occupation's tasks compare with other high-exposure occupations: routine, information-heavy work raises it, while caring, hands-on and judgment-heavy work lowers it. | −7.6 |
| Score | Kept between 5 and 95. Low is under 25, Moderate 25 to 49, High 50 to 74, Very high 75 and up. | 54.9 |
Job outlook
| Median annual pay | $59,350 |
|---|---|
| Projected employment change, 2025 to 2035 | +18.4% |
| Openings per year, on average | about 50,500 |
| Typical education to enter | Master's degree |
| On-the-job training | Internship/residency |
BLS publishes these figures for the wider group "Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors", which includes this occupation. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35.
Common questions
How will AI affect Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors?
AIRRBridge rates Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors at 54 out of 100 (High) for AI exposure. Exposure measures how much of the work AI tools could change, not whether the job will disappear. BLS projects employment in the wider BLS group "Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors" to grow 18.4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 50,500 openings a year.
How much do Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors make?
BLS reports a median annual pay of $59,350 for the wider BLS group "Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors".
What education do Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors need?
BLS lists a master's degree as the typical education needed to enter the wider BLS group "Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors".
Averages don't capture your exact tasks. Take the free AI Risk Check for a personal read on your own work as one of today's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors.
Check my risk freeO*NET-SOC 21-1011.00 · O*NET 30.2 data, scored October 2026. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Includes information from the O*NET Database by USDOL/ETA, used under CC BY 4.0, modified by AIRRBridge. Scores are estimates for information only, not career advice.