How much does a residential advisor make?
The median residential advisor in the United States earns $42,240 per year, about $20.31 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all residential advisors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 39-9041.
Residential advisor salary range
Pay for residential advisors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,870 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $61,060. The average (mean) wage of $43,990 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,870 | $14.36 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,510 | $17.07 | |
| Median (50th) | $42,240 | $20.31 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,920 | $24.00 | |
| 90th percentile | $61,060 | $29.36 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for residential advisors (SOC 39-9041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Residential advisor salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Residential advisors earn the most in New Hampshire at $49,010 a year, and the least in Alabama at $27,650. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $49,010 | 420 |
| Minnesota | $48,770 | 3,410 |
| Washington | $48,640 | 1,810 |
| North Dakota | $48,590 | 260 |
| New York | $48,380 | 6,150 |
| Massachusetts | $48,190 | 5,120 |
| Montana | $47,230 | 350 |
| Oregon | $47,160 | 840 |
| Maryland | $46,950 | 2,640 |
| California | $46,650 | 8,120 |
| Alaska | $46,180 | 380 |
| Nebraska | $45,980 | 230 |
| Rhode Island | $45,280 | 460 |
| Colorado | $44,750 | 760 |
| Vermont | $44,710 | 170 |
| Illinois | $44,130 | 2,720 |
| New Jersey | $43,880 | 1,630 |
| Maine | $43,780 | 640 |
| Connecticut | $43,620 | 1,250 |
| Virginia | $42,890 | 2,950 |
| Wisconsin | $41,690 | 1,190 |
| Arizona | $41,480 | 1,260 |
| Florida | $40,660 | 1,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,010 | 4,380 |
| Michigan | $39,730 | 1,770 |
| Georgia | $39,380 | 2,460 |
| Utah | $39,240 | 990 |
| North Carolina | $39,130 | 2,840 |
| Indiana | $38,850 | 1,360 |
| Nevada | $38,790 | 190 |
| Ohio | $38,590 | 3,070 |
| District of Columbia | $38,480 | 670 |
| South Dakota | $38,420 | 1,780 |
| Arkansas | $38,300 | 910 |
| Kansas | $37,680 | 510 |
| Texas | $37,630 | 3,630 |
| New Mexico | $37,540 | 590 |
| Idaho | $37,160 | 400 |
| Hawaii | $36,930 | 640 |
| Iowa | $36,850 | 780 |
| Missouri | $36,510 | 1,380 |
| South Carolina | $35,780 | 1,580 |
| Oklahoma | $35,390 | 1,060 |
| Tennessee | $34,700 | 2,360 |
| Delaware | $34,530 | 350 |
| Wyoming | $34,500 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $33,800 | 420 |
| West Virginia | $31,840 | 1,180 |
| Mississippi | $30,900 | 660 |
| Kentucky | $30,260 | 1,580 |
| Alabama | $27,650 | 2,570 |
State median wages for residential advisors (SOC 39-9041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for residential advisors
The BLS projects employment of residential advisors to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 94,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 97,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 16,500 openings a year for residential advisors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a residential advisor
The typical entry-level education for residential advisors is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a residential advisor earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Hampshire, $49,010) and the lowest (Alabama, $27,650) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 84,760 people work as residential advisors in the United States. At $42,240 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Residential advisor salary FAQ
How much does a residential advisor make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a residential advisor is $20.31. The middle half of residential advisors earn between $17.07 and $24.00 per hour.
What is the highest residential advisor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of residential advisors earn more than $61,060 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a residential advisor make a year?
The median annual salary for a residential advisor is $42,240. The average (mean) wage of $43,990 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a residential advisor a well paid job?
At $42,240 a year, a residential advisor earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 84,760 people work as residential advisors in the United States.
Which state pays residential advisors the most?
New Hampshire has the highest median salary for residential advisors at $49,010 a year. Minnesota ($48,770) and Washington ($48,640) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a residential advisor a good career?
Employment of residential advisors is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 16,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a residential advisor?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for residential advisors as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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