How long does it take to become a recovery coach in Washington?

Most paths into the recovery coach field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

How much do recovery coaches earn in Washington?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), recovery coaches in Washington earned a median annual wage of approximately $57,070 (using the related "Community Health Workers" BLS category, since recovery coach wages are not tracked separately). Employment concentration in Washington is about 1.87 times the national average for this occupation.

Do recovery coaches need a license in Washington?

No statewide license is required for recovery coaches in Washington. Most employers expect industry certifications such as CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate).

What apprenticeships are available for recovery coaches in Washington?

In Washington, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

What is the job outlook for recovery coaches in Washington?

Washington currently employs approximately 2,640 workers in the related "Community Health Workers" BLS category, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11.3% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

How to Become A Recovery Coach in Washington

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Washington community health workers earn a median annual wage of $57,070 ($27.44/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,640 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 10.1% above the national median of $51,850 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $57,070 ($27.44/hr)
25th percentile: $47,830 per year
75th percentile: $67,470 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $80,680 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $43,820 per year
Workers employed in Washington: 2,640
Versus national median: 10.1% above the U.S. median of $51,850
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.87 - this occupation is more concentrated in Washington than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington employs approximately 2,640 workers in the related “Community Health Workers” category (SOC 21-1094), with a median annual wage of $57,070 ¹. The state’s concentration of jobs in this category is 1.87x the national average, indicating strong regional demand. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 11.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,800 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a recovery coach in Washington, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track recovery coach salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Community Health Workers (SOC 21-1094). Actual recovery coach earnings may vary.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Recovery Coach in Washington

How do I become a recovery coach in Washington? Washington does not require a state license for recovery coachs, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate). Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Washington? No state license is required, but certifications such as CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate) are expected by most employers.

What do recovery coachs earn in Washington? The BLS does not track recovery coach wages separately. Based on the related “Community Health Workers” category, the median annual wage in Washington is $57,070, with entry-level wages around $43,820 and experienced workers earning $80,680 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Washington): $57,070 per year (based on related “Community Health Workers” category) ¹

Recovery Coach Certification Options in Washington

Washington does not require a state license to work as a recovery coach. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for recovery coachs include:

CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate)

For more information, visit the NAADAC - Association for Addiction Professionals ³. Contact training programs in Washington for details on certification preparation courses.

Recovery Coach Wages by Metro Area in Washington

Note: The BLS does not track recovery coach wages separately. The data below is based on the closest matching category: Community Health Workers (SOC 21-1094).

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), community health workers wages in Washington vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	1,600	$58,790	$60,340	$38,980	$87,750
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	1,220	$57,980	$64,030	$48,040	$86,610
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro	1,050	$55,550	$57,910	$45,560	$73,500
Spokane-Spokane Valley	360	$48,260	$52,930	$39,900	$69,230
Yakima	150	$47,940	$52,600	$40,450	$76,860
Bellingham	90	$57,930	$59,930	$43,020	$86,100
Kennewick-Richland	90	$49,830	$53,320	$41,320	$68,820
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard	80	$47,540	$56,070	$46,250	$78,660
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater	80	$53,970	$60,740	$41,580	$89,410
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	50	$60,090	$63,460	$44,500	$94,480
Longview-Kelso	30	$49,600	$55,560	$42,090	$78,710

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Recovery coaches in Washington

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest recovery coach employment within Washington according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	1,220	$57,980
Spokane-Spokane Valley	360	$48,260
Yakima	150	$47,940
Bellingham	90	$57,930
Kennewick-Richland	90	$49,830

Explore More Trades in Washington

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for recovery coachs in Washington? Washington employs approximately 2,640 workers in the related “Community Health Workers” category ¹. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 11.3% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Washington.

How much do recovery coachs earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for recovery coachs in Washington is $57,070 (based on the related “Community Health Workers” category), which is $6,040 above the national median of $51,030 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NAADAC - Association for Addiction Professionals: https://www.naadac.org/ ↩︎

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.