Residential Advisors

SOC: 39-9041 O*NET: 39-9041.00
Median Salary
$39,180
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.8%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
17.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3

Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments. Order supplies and determine need for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. May maintain household records and assign rooms. May assist residents with problem solving or refer them to counseling resources.

What does a Residential Advisors do?

Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments. Order supplies and determine need for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. May maintain household records and assign rooms. May assist residents with problem solving or refer them to counseling resources.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$28,490
10th percentile
Early Career
$33,890
25th percentile
Median
$39,180
50th percentile
Experienced
$47,590
75th percentile
Top Earners
$58,350
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$28,490
25th
$33,890
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$39,180
Mean: $41,590
75th
$47,590
90th
$58,350
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $29,860 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $33,890 and $47,590
  • Salary spread is 35.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
  • Total national employment: 82,810 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:91,200

Top Industries

Nursing and Residential Care Facilities40.8%
Social Assistance27.3%
Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities23.6%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+3.8%
Annual Openings:17,400

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)91,200
Current
2034 (Projected)94,700
+3.8%
+3,500
Employment Change
+3.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Residential Advisors professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
7,400 jobs$46,8500.76x
Pennsylvania
5,150 jobs$38,2201.59x
New York
4,930 jobs$44,4200.96x
Massachusetts
4,520 jobs$47,1202.31x
Minnesota
3,580 jobs$46,8002.28x
Tennessee
3,220 jobs$32,0901.83x
Ohio
3,170 jobs$36,2701.07x
Texas
3,120 jobs$37,1800.42x
North Carolina
2,850 jobs$36,5901.09x
Georgia
2,720 jobs$35,4501.04x
Illinois
2,710 jobs$39,7300.83x
Maryland
2,650 jobs$38,2401.80x
Virginia
2,300 jobs$41,3601.05x
Florida
2,220 jobs$37,6600.42x
New Jersey
1,870 jobs$40,3200.82x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Coordination
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Service Orientation
54%
#9
Negotiation
46%
#10
Persuasion
40%

Skills Overview

Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Coordination
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Service Orientation
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Social Perceptiveness

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Active Listening

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Coordination

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Time Management

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Service Orientation

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Negotiation

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Persuasion

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Nannies82%
5 shared skills
Concierges82%
5 shared skills
Retail Salespersons82%
5 shared skills
Parking Enforcement Workers73%
5 shared skills
Personal Care Aides73%
5 shared skills
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes67%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Coordination
Learn on the Job:
  • Time Management
  • Service Orientation
  • Critical Thinking

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Coordination

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Residential Advisors

Technology Intensity
High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires advanced digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Google Docs

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Google Docs
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Communication & Coordination (2)Planning & Development (3)Management & Supervision (2)
1

Enforce rules and regulations to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of dormitory programs.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Provide emergency first aid and summon medical assistance when necessary.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Mediate interpersonal problems between residents.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Administer, coordinate, or recommend disciplinary and corrective actions.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Communication & Coordination91% perform
5

Communicate with other staff to resolve problems with individual students.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Communication & Coordination88% perform
6

Counsel students in the handling of issues such as family, financial, and educational problems.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Make regular rounds to ensure that residents and areas are safe and secure.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Observe students to detect and report unusual behavior.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Determine the need for facility maintenance and repair, and notify appropriate personnel.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Collaborate with counselors to develop counseling programs that address the needs of individual students.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Planning & Development73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Residential Advisors

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Residential Advisors professionals typically have a SCE Holland code and highly value relationships

SSocial
CConventional
EEnterprising

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Residential Advisors

Concern for Others

Critical

Concern for Others

Importance Level4.61

Adaptability/Flexibility

Critical

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level4.59

Self-Control

Critical

Self-Control

Importance Level4.50

Stress Tolerance

Very Important

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level4.45

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.45

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.43

Complete Work Styles Profile

Concern for Others
4.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.6
Self-Control
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Integrity
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Leadership
4.4
Dependability
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.4
Social Orientation
4.3

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies

Preparation Level

Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Training:

Training of more than one year

💼 Experience Requirement

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Associate degree programs
  • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
  • Vocational training with related experience
3

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience

Ready to Start Your Journey?

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