Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Residential advisors support people in residential settings and help maintain a safe, organized living environment. This role combines interpersonal communication, leadership, and customer service to assist residents with day-to-day needs. Nationally, there are about 91,000 residential advisors, with a projected employment growth of 3.8%. The field is expected to generate around 17,000 openings each year, reflecting both new positions and turnover. The typical entry point is accessible, requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. Strong speaking and listening skills, adaptability, and the ability to think critically are important for success. For those who enjoy working directly with people, coordinating activities, and handling a mix of routine and unexpected situations, this career can offer a stable, people-centered path with clear geographic options, including opportunities in states and metro areas with higher median pay and strong CareerGPS opportunity scores.
Residential advisors earn a national median annual salary of $39,180. Pay varies meaningfully by location, with several states and metro areas offering higher median salaries. Among the highlighted states, Washington shows a median salary of $48,640, while New York and Massachusetts are close behind at $48,380 and $48,190. California offers $46,650, and Colorado reports $44,750. At the metro level, compensation can be even higher. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro has a median salary of $55,800, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA follows at $54,510. These figures show that residential advisors who are open to working in certain higher-paying metros or states may see stronger earning potential, while still working in the same general occupation and skill profile.
Residential advisors have a national employment base of about 91,000, with projected employment growth of 3.8%. This same growth rate appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, indicating a consistent projection in the locations listed. The occupation is expected to see around 17,000 annual openings, which combines opportunities from new jobs and positions that need to be refilled. For job seekers, this suggests a steady flow of opportunities over time rather than highly volatile demand. Individuals considering this path can factor in both the existing employment base and the regular stream of openings as they plan their job search or long-term career moves. The consistent growth percentage across states and metros in the data can make it easier to compare locations primarily on salary, employment size, and opportunity scores rather than differing growth expectations.
Location can significantly shape the experience and opportunities for residential advisors. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York stand out with relatively high median salaries, all around or above the upper $40,000 range and CareerGPS opportunity scores above 65. California has the largest employment level among these at 8,120, while New York and Massachusetts report 6,150 and 5,120 respectively. Washington and Colorado also appear as notable options, with opportunity scores in the mid-50s and median salaries in the mid-to-upper $40,000s. Metro data highlights particularly strong markets. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has both the highest median salary at $55,800 and the highest opportunity score of 77.42, though with a smaller employment base of 300. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro combines a high opportunity score of 77.27 with 4,910 jobs. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also pair solid employment numbers with strong salaries and opportunity scores.
Residential advisors typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, making this a career that is relatively accessible from an educational standpoint. While formal education requirements are limited, success in the role relies on a broad mix of skills. Interpersonal abilities and customer service are central, supporting daily interactions with residents. Speaking and listening skills help with clear communication, while leadership and project management support organizing activities or coordinating aspects of residential life. Adaptability, creativity, and innovation help advisors respond to changing situations and find new approaches when needed. Critical and analytical thinking contribute to sound decision-making, and computers and information technology skills support administrative or information-related tasks. Physical strength and stamina are also important, reflecting the potential for physically demanding aspects of the work. Taken together, this skill set allows individuals with a high school education to build a practical, people-focused career in residential advising.
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