How to Become a Recovery Coach

Updated October 28, 2025 | Brad Fishbein Table of Contents

Do you have a passion for helping others overcome addiction and rebuild their lives?
Becoming a recovery coach lets you turn empathy and experience into meaningful work.

Recovery coaches provide emotional and practical support for individuals in addiction recovery. They’re not therapists, but rather mentors who guide clients through day-to-day challenges, connect them with resources, and encourage long-term sobriety.

If you’re compassionate, patient, and driven to make a difference, this is a fulfilling path in the behavioral health field.

Quick Facts: Recovery Coach Salary, Education, and Outlook

Median Pay $45,120 $21.69/hr Top 10%: $63,850
Job Outlook (2024–2034) 6.4% 50,600 openings/yr
Employment (2024) 424,220
🏁Wage Percentiles
25th $37,770 75th $53,040
🎓Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
🛠️On‑the‑Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training or certification
🌎Highest Paying States
District of Columbia California Washington
🏢Top Industries
Cross-industry
✅Certification
Required or preferred in many states
Data Year: 2024 SOC: 21-1093 Source: BLS OEWS

What Recovery Coaches Do

Recovery coaches guide clients through the challenges of addiction recovery by providing motivation, accountability, and access to community resources.

Typical Responsibilities

  • Support clients through relapse prevention and recovery planning
  • Help locate treatment, housing, or job resources
  • Conduct peer mentoring and support sessions
  • Document progress and goals
  • Encourage clients to build healthy routines and coping skills

Recovery coaches bridge the gap between clinical treatment and everyday life, helping clients stay committed to their recovery.

Key Skills and Traits for Success

  • Compassion and empathy
  • Strong communication and listening skills
  • Boundaries and professionalism
  • Knowledge of addiction and recovery resources
  • Crisis management ability
  • Dependability and emotional resilience

Common Work Settings

  • Rehabilitation centers and clinics
  • Hospitals and mental health facilities
  • Nonprofits and recovery community organizations
  • Government programs and social services
  • Private practice or peer-led organizations

How to Become a Recovery Coach (5 Steps)

1. Earn a High School Diploma or GED

This is the minimum requirement for most recovery coaching programs.

2. Complete a Recovery Coach Training Program

Many states require completion of an approved peer recovery or addiction support training course covering ethics, motivational interviewing, and crisis management.

3. Obtain Certification (if required)

Certification ensures you meet state and national standards. Common credentials include:

  • Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS)
  • Certified Peer Recovery Coach (CPRC)
  • National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS)

4. Gain Experience

Work or volunteer in addiction recovery centers, community programs, or hospitals to develop client support skills.

5. Maintain Certification and Continue Education

Most states require ongoing professional development or continuing education to keep credentials active.

Recovery Coach Salary by State

BLS OEWS, May 2024

State Median annual Top 10% annual
District of Columbia $57,210 $87,230
Massachusetts $47,280 $76,300
New Jersey $49,000 $76,010
California $51,780 $74,140
Illinois $45,700 $71,330
Wisconsin $46,420 $69,630
Washington $49,940 $68,890
North Dakota $47,010 $67,620
Maryland $45,280 $65,980
Minnesota $48,860 $65,330
New York $46,210 $64,680
Oregon $48,660 $64,130
Alaska $46,210 $63,360
Colorado $46,730 $63,350
Rhode Island $47,620 $62,170
New Mexico $44,980 $60,940
Connecticut $45,090 $60,880
Wyoming $42,870 $60,500
Texas $44,030 $59,910
Virginia $43,190 $59,590
Pennsylvania $43,340 $59,560
Nevada $39,240 $59,130
South Carolina $37,430 $58,940
Florida $42,790 $58,890
Iowa $40,300 $58,810
Michigan $38,530 $57,880
New Hampshire $45,910 $57,770
Idaho $46,060 $57,720
North Carolina $40,470 $57,310
Maine $46,320 $56,330
Hawaii $43,040 $56,090
Indiana $41,130 $55,510
Vermont $46,370 $55,100
Utah $40,500 $54,520
Missouri $38,740 $54,230
Oklahoma $37,450 $54,060
Kansas $40,540 $53,290
Kentucky $36,560 $53,240
Arizona $41,150 $52,620
Tennessee $38,710 $52,310
West Virginia $37,860 $51,780
Delaware $40,870 $51,520
Louisiana $33,520 $51,170
Ohio $38,860 $50,810
Georgia $37,200 $50,310
Arkansas $37,340 $49,250
Nebraska $37,990 $49,070
Mississippi $28,900 $47,140
Alabama $34,040 $46,890
South Dakota $37,750 $46,470
Montana $36,910 $45,570

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024.

💡 Recovery coaches with certification and experience in clinical or hospital settings tend to earn higher wages.

Education and Certification Paths

Pathway Typical Duration Outcome
Recovery Coach Certificate 6–12 months Entry-level certification
Peer Support Specialist Training 6–9 months State-recognized credential
Associate in Human Services 2 years Broader behavioral health foundation
Bachelor’s in Psychology or Counseling 4 years Expanded career options

Career Growth and Advancement

With experience, recovery coaches can move into higher-impact or leadership roles such as:

  • Lead Peer Specialist or Program Coordinator
  • Addiction Counselor (with licensure)
  • Case Manager or Behavioral Health Technician
  • Community Outreach Director

Some recovery coaches pursue advanced counseling or social work degrees to expand their impact and income potential.

Cost and Duration of Training

  • Program Cost: $2,000–$8,000 depending on program and location
  • Duration: 6–12 months for most certifications
  • Certification Exams: typically $100–$250

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

  • Deeply rewarding and impactful career
  • High demand across the U.S.
  • Flexible work settings (nonprofits, hospitals, community orgs)
  • Entry-level accessibility with room to grow

⚠️ Cons

  • Emotionally demanding work
  • Moderate pay compared to clinical roles
  • Ongoing training and supervision may be required

Start Your Recovery Coaching Career Today

Becoming a recovery coach allows you to use your compassion and lived experience to make a real difference.
If you’re ready to help others find freedom and stability in recovery, training programs can help you begin within a year.

🎓 Find Recovery Coach Training Programs Near You

Recovery Coach Salary by State

BLS OEWS, May 2024

State Median annual Top 10% annual
District of Columbia $57,210 $87,230
Massachusetts $47,280 $76,300
New Jersey $49,000 $76,010
California $51,780 $74,140
Illinois $45,700 $71,330
Wisconsin $46,420 $69,630
Washington $49,940 $68,890
North Dakota $47,010 $67,620
Maryland $45,280 $65,980
Minnesota $48,860 $65,330
New York $46,210 $64,680
Oregon $48,660 $64,130
Alaska $46,210 $63,360
Colorado $46,730 $63,350
Rhode Island $47,620 $62,170
New Mexico $44,980 $60,940
Connecticut $45,090 $60,880
Wyoming $42,870 $60,500
Texas $44,030 $59,910
Virginia $43,190 $59,590
Pennsylvania $43,340 $59,560
Nevada $39,240 $59,130
South Carolina $37,430 $58,940
Florida $42,790 $58,890
Iowa $40,300 $58,810
Michigan $38,530 $57,880
New Hampshire $45,910 $57,770
Idaho $46,060 $57,720
North Carolina $40,470 $57,310
Maine $46,320 $56,330
Hawaii $43,040 $56,090
Indiana $41,130 $55,510
Vermont $46,370 $55,100
Utah $40,500 $54,520
Missouri $38,740 $54,230
Oklahoma $37,450 $54,060
Kansas $40,540 $53,290
Kentucky $36,560 $53,240
Arizona $41,150 $52,620
Tennessee $38,710 $52,310
West Virginia $37,860 $51,780
Delaware $40,870 $51,520
Louisiana $33,520 $51,170
Ohio $38,860 $50,810
Georgia $37,200 $50,310
Arkansas $37,340 $49,250
Nebraska $37,990 $49,070
Mississippi $28,900 $47,140
Alabama $34,040 $46,890
South Dakota $37,750 $46,470
Montana $36,910 $45,570

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024.

Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.

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