Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 108,200 people employed as residential advisors in the United States. The median annual salary is $31,200. Entry level employees earn approximately $21,550 per year and senior employees earn approximately $49,180 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Inventory, pack, and remove items left behind by former residents.
• 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.
• Chaperone group-sponsored trips and social functions.
• Order supplies for facilities.
• Oversee departmental budget.
• Supervise students' housekeeping work to ensure that it is done properly.
• Process contract cancellations for students who are unable to follow residence hall policies and procedures.
• Accompany and supervise students during meals.
• Supervise the activities of housekeeping personnel.
• Assign rooms to students.
• Provide transportation or escort for expeditions, such as shopping trips or visits to doctors or dentists.
• Direct and participate in on- and off-campus recreational activities for residents of institutions, boarding schools, fraternities or sororities, children's homes, or similar establishments.
• Sort and distribute mail.
• 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.
• Collaborate with counselors to develop counseling programs that address the needs of individual students.
• Develop and coordinate educational programs for residents.
• Develop program plans for individuals or assist in plan development.
• Provide requested information on students' progress and the development of case plans.
• Confer with medical personnel to better understand the backgrounds and needs of individual residents.
• Administer, coordinate, or recommend disciplinary and corrective actions.
• Answer telephones, and route calls or deliver messages.
• Counsel students in the handling of issues such as family, financial, and educational problems.
• Hold regular meetings with each assigned unit.
• Compile information such as residents' daily activities and the quantities of supplies used to prepare required reports.

Career List