Highest-Paying Resident Assistant Jobs [2026]
Research Summary. The Zippia data team has analyzed a blend of public government data and insights from thousands of job postings to create average salary estimates for various resident assistant roles across the United States. This analysis identifies the highest-paying resident assistant positions based on their average annual salaries.
Here’s a summary of our findings on the highest-paying types of resident assistants:
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Resident assistants top the list with an average salary of $60,589, translating to an hourly rate of $29.13.
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The second highest-paying position is that of an addictions counselor assistant, earning an average salary of $46,799.
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The overall average salary for resident assistants sits at $29,971 per year, or $14.41 per hour.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging, and while salary is an important consideration, it should not be the sole factor in your decision. If you are aspiring to work as a resident assistant, understanding the highest-paid roles can help you chart a successful career trajectory.
Here are the top salaries for various types of resident assistants:
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Resident
Average Salary: $60,589
A resident, or resident physician, is a medical doctor who has recently graduated from medical school and is completing a residency program for further training. Residents collaborate with healthcare teams to provide direct medical care, diagnose health issues, and develop treatment plans. They may also assist in surgeries under the supervision of senior residents and attending physicians and must understand the ethical, socioeconomic, and legal aspects of patient care.
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Addictions Counselor Assistant
Average Salary: $46,799
An addictions counselor assistant supports patients dealing with addiction. They handle administrative tasks at a counseling facility, ensuring data management, confidentiality, and compliance with regulations while assisting with patient treatment plans.
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Assistant Program Coordinator
Average Salary: $41,444
An assistant program coordinator provides administrative support and helps organize various programs and activities. Responsibilities include monitoring budgets, preparing documents, managing correspondence, and working closely with vendors and suppliers, often in educational or governmental settings.
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Behavioral Assistant
Average Salary: $39,681
Behavioral Assistants support students with disabilities, managing behavior and clinical needs, implementing behavioral improvement strategies, and maintaining safety protocols while collaborating with teachers to monitor student progress.
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Social Services Assistant
Average Salary: $37,445
A social services assistant helps individuals navigate social services and healthcare systems, assisting with resource coordination and counseling families to identify necessary services.
Below is a comprehensive table detailing the average salaries for various resident assistant roles, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Resident Assistants
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to formulate its salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company-released resources to ensure the salary information for resident assistants is current and accurate.
After collecting the necessary data, the team computes a weighted average for each job title they analyze. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Resident Assistant Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid resident assistant job?
The highest-paid resident assistant job is a resident. Residents earn an average salary of $60,589, which equates to $29.13 hourly.
A resident, often referred to as a resident physician, is a medical doctor who has graduated from medical school and is completing their residency training. Residents collaborate with healthcare teams to deliver direct medical care, diagnose health issues, and formulate treatment plans. They may assist in procedures under supervision, and must possess a thorough understanding of ethical and legal aspects of patient care.
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What is a good salary for a resident assistant?
A good salary for a resident assistant is $29,971 or more. This figure represents the average salary for resident assistants, indicating that those earning at least this amount are receiving above-average paychecks.
It’s important to note that salaries can vary based on location, as employers adjust their pay scales according to the local cost of living. Researching average salaries in your area for your level of expertise can provide a clearer picture of your compensation.
For those just beginning their careers, the average entry-level salary is $20,797, so the $29,971 average should not be considered the benchmark for starting salaries.
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Do Resident Assistant jobs pay well?
Generally, resident assistant jobs may not offer high salaries. While some positions pay better than others, the average salary of $29,971 is below the national average salary of approximately $44,225 annually.
However, many resident assistant roles have potential for higher earnings, with the top 10% earning an average of $33,892 per year.
Salaries for resident assistants will vary based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s wise to research the going rates in your area and negotiate your salary accordingly.
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Where do resident assistants get paid the most?
Resident assistants earn the highest salaries in North Dakota. In this state, resident assistants have an average annual salary of $33,888 and an hourly wage of $16.29.
Following North Dakota, the states with the highest salaries for resident assistants include Alaska, Minnesota, and Wyoming, with average annual salaries of $32,819, $30,830, and $30,410, respectively.
The cities offering the best salaries for resident assistants are:
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Roseville, CA – $35,909
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Portland, OR – $32,672
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Duluth, MN – $32,107
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
