Residential Advisors
SOC code 39-9041 · O*NET-SOC 39-9041.00 · Medium preparation needed
Residential Advisors pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$42,240
a year
Hourly
$20.31
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$43,990
$21.15 per hour
Middle 50%
$35,510 – $49,920
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$29,870 – $61,060
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
84,760
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $29,870
- $14.36/hr
- 25th percentile
- $35,510
- $17.07/hr
- Median percentile
- $42,240
- $20.31/hr
- 75th percentile
- $49,920
- $24.00/hr
- 90th percentile
- $61,060
- $29.36/hr
What does a residential advisor 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Communicate with other staff to resolve problems with individual students.
- Observe students to detect and report unusual behavior.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate residence hall staff, including resident assistants, participants in work-study programs, and other student workers.
- Provide emergency first aid and summon medical assistance when necessary.
- Make regular rounds to ensure that residents and areas are safe and secure.
- Mediate interpersonal problems between residents.
- Enforce rules and regulations to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of dormitory programs.
- Determine the need for facility maintenance and repair, and notify appropriate personnel.
How to become a residential advisor
Most people in this role hold some college courses — 50% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Some College Courses50%
- Bachelor's Degree31%
- Less than a High School Diploma7%
- Doctoral Degree6%
Common questions
How much does a residential advisor earn?
The national median is $42,240 a year. The full range runs from $29,870 at the 10th percentile to $61,060 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a residential advisor without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- Administration and Management4.2/5
- Public Safety and Security4.0/5
- Education and Training4.0/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.7/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.5/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Negotiation, Service Orientation, Time Management, Persuasion.