Median Salary
$42,240
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$20.31
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$61,060
entry level starts ~$29,870
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 85,000 employed
How much does a Residential Advisor make?
The median pay for a Residential Advisor in the United States is $42,240 per year — about $20.31 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $29,870, while the most experienced Residential Advisors in the top 10% earn $61,060.
That is $19,150 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Residential Advisor salary range by percentile
Half of all Residential Advisors earn between $35,510 and $49,920 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,870 | $14.36 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,510 | $17.07 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,240 | $20.31 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,920 | $24.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,060 | $29.36 |
|
Highest-paying states for Residential Advisor
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. New Hampshire leads the country for Residential Advisor pay at $49,010 a year, followed by Minnesota ($48,770) and Washington ($48,640). At the other end, Alabama posts the lowest median at $27,650 — a gap of $21,360 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Residential Advisor salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
New Hampshire $49,010Minnesota $48,770Washington $48,640North Dakota $48,590New York $48,380Massachusetts $48,190Montana $47,230Oregon $47,160Maryland $46,950California $46,650Alaska $46,180Nebraska $45,980Rhode Island $45,280Colorado $44,750Vermont $44,710Illinois $44,130New Jersey $43,880Maine $43,780Connecticut $43,620Virginia $42,890Wisconsin $41,690Arizona $41,480Florida $40,660Pennsylvania $40,010Michigan $39,730Georgia $39,380Utah $39,240North Carolina $39,130Indiana $38,850Nevada $38,790Ohio $38,590District of Columbia $38,480South Dakota $38,420Arkansas $38,300Kansas $37,680Texas $37,630New Mexico $37,540Idaho $37,160Hawaii $36,930Iowa $36,850Missouri $36,510South Carolina $35,780Oklahoma $35,390Tennessee $34,700Delaware $34,530Wyoming $34,500Louisiana $33,800West Virginia $31,840Mississippi $30,900Kentucky $30,260Alabama $27,650
Workforce and education
About 85,000 people work as Residential Advisors in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $43,990 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Residential Advisor make in the United States?
The median Residential Advisor salary in the United States is $42,240 per year, or about $20.31 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $29,870, while the top 10% of earners make $61,060 or more.
How does Residential Advisor pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Residential Advisor median of $42,240 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Residential Advisors the most?
New Hampshire is the highest-paying state for Residential Advisors, with a median salary of $49,010 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Residential Advisor?
Becoming a Residential Advisor typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Residential Advisors work in the United States?
About 85,000 people were employed as Residential Advisors in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.