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The differences between career assistants and residential assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a career assistant and a residential assistant. Additionally, a residential assistant has an average salary of $30,918, which is higher than the $29,098 average annual salary of a career assistant.
The top three skills for a career assistant include scheduling appointments, career services and assistance program. The most important skills for a residential assistant are direct care, developmental disabilities, and mental health.
| Career Assistant | Residential Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $29,098 | $30,918 |
| Hourly rate | $13.99 | $14.86 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 17,117 | 91,326 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A career assistant is responsible for conducting one-on-one coaching for students to determine their career aspirations according to their skills and interests. Career assistants support and advise the students in searching for jobs or internships they qualify for, help them create a smart resume, invite them to career seminars and orientations, and manage the students' weaknesses that hinder them from professional growth. A career assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in keeping records of students' information and filing reports as necessary.
A residential assistant is in charge of overseeing the living conditions of students in a university or similar establishment. They are primarily responsible for assisting students and making them feel at ease within the dormitory or campus community. Moreover, a residential assistant must respond to inquiries and concerns, handle and settle any issues or problems, take part in organizing activities that are beneficial to the students, and keep them informed on all community-related updates. Furthermore, it is crucial to adhere to and implement the campus rules and regulations at all times, maintaining a safe environment for everyone.
Career assistants and residential assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Career Assistant | Residential Assistant | |
| Average salary | $29,098 | $30,918 |
| Salary range | Between $16,000 And $51,000 | Between $25,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | University of California |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a career assistant and a residential assistant in terms of educational background:
| Career Assistant | Residential Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | SUNY at Binghamton |
Here are the differences between career assistants' and residential assistants' demographics:
| Career Assistant | Residential Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8% | Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.1% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |