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The average salary for a Residence Counselor is approximately $34,931 annually. This figure can vary based on factors such as location, experience, and the specific industry of employment. In states like California and New York, salaries tend to be higher, reflecting the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.
Entry-level positions may start at around $30,000 per year, while experienced counselors can earn upwards of $40,000. To maximize earning potential, consider pursuing additional certifications or specialized training.
According to data, the highest-paying industries for Residence Counselors include mental health facilities and substance abuse treatment centers. Professionals in these fields often receive competitive salaries and have access to comprehensive benefits packages.
For those considering a career as a Residence Counselor, understanding salary trends and opportunities for growth is crucial. Explore job openings and leverage your skills to find a fulfilling position in this impactful field.
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The highest-paying states for residence counselors are Washington, Oregon, and Arizona. The lowest average residence counselor salary states are Delaware, Mississippi, and Georgia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| 2 | Washington | $43,689 | $21.00 |
| 3 | Maine | $39,938 | $19.20 |
| 4 | Oregon | $43,669 | $20.99 |
| 5 | Idaho | $42,362 | $20.37 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $39,856 | $19.16 |
| 7 | Michigan | $39,802 | $19.14 |
| 8 | New York | $40,205 | $19.33 |
| 9 | Nevada | $40,925 | $19.68 |
| 10 | Utah | $40,716 | $19.57 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| 12 | South Dakota | $39,094 | $18.80 |
| 13 | Missouri | $40,154 | $19.30 |
| 14 | California | $40,008 | $19.23 |
| 15 | Alaska | $37,045 | $17.81 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $36,384 | $17.49 |
| 17 | Montana | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| 18 | Oklahoma | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $36,521 | $17.56 |
| 20 | Minnesota | $37,095 | $17.83 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $37,142 | $17.86 |
| 22 | Kansas | $38,158 | $18.35 |
| 23 | Colorado | $36,539 | $17.57 |
| 24 | Texas | $36,867 | $17.72 |
| 25 | District of Columbia | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| 26 | Ohio | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| 27 | Indiana | $35,175 | $16.91 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $35,222 | $16.93 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $34,065 | $16.38 |
| 30 | Vermont | $35,353 | $17.00 |
| 31 | Virginia | $36,386 | $17.49 |
| 32 | Illinois | $33,678 | $16.19 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | $31,573 | $15.18 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $34,310 | $16.50 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $33,951 | $16.32 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $33,807 | $16.25 |
| 37 | Iowa | $33,381 | $16.05 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $33,296 | $16.01 |
| 39 | Alabama | $34,419 | $16.55 |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $34,651 | $16.66 |
| 41 | Connecticut | $31,981 | $15.38 |
| 42 | New Jersey | $32,857 | $15.80 |
| 43 | Maryland | $31,456 | $15.12 |
| 44 | Florida | $31,437 | $15.11 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $29,251 | $14.06 |
| 46 | New Hampshire | $33,166 | $15.95 |
| 47 | Delaware | $30,395 | $14.61 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $30,312 | $14.57 |
| 49 | Georgia | $29,723 | $14.29 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $28,203 | $13.56 |
| 51 | North Carolina | $29,698 | $14.28 |
The highest-paying cities for residence counselors are Phoenix, AZ, Niagara Falls, NY, and Santa Clara, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix, AZ | $43,079 | $20.71 |
| 2 | Niagara Falls, NY | $41,738 | $20.07 |
| 3 | Santa Clara, CA | $40,903 | $19.66 |
| 4 | Alexandria, VA | $37,021 | $17.80 |
| 5 | Fitchburg, MA | $36,488 | $17.54 |
| 6 | Hammond, IN | $36,077 | $17.34 |
| 7 | Wausau, WI | $35,178 | $16.91 |
| 8 | Aurora, IL | $33,723 | $16.21 |
| 9 | Des Moines, IA | $33,307 | $16.01 |
| 10 | Passaic, NJ | $32,981 | $15.86 |
| 11 | Newark, DE | $30,460 | $14.64 |
| 12 | Monroe, NC | $29,703 | $14.28 |
A residence counselor's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $43,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| Average | $34,931 | $2,911 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
The highest paying types of residence counselors are clinical counselor, treatment specialist, and intensive in-home counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Worker | $41,081 | $3,423 | $19.75 | 144,879 |
| Counselor Internship | $45,500 | $3,792 | $21.88 | 132,694 |
| Community Health Counselor | $43,304 | $3,609 | $20.82 | 131,804 |
| Day Camp Counselor | $29,384 | $2,449 | $14.13 | 32,895 |
| Program Counselor | $43,820 | $3,652 | $21.07 | 133,491 |
| Residential Coordinator | $39,577 | $3,298 | $19.03 | 47,261 |
Top companies hiring residence counselors now:
Residence counselor salaries at McLean Hospital and Santa Clara University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average residence counselor salary at companies like State Of Illinois - Illinois Student Assistance Commission and Prime Healthcare are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLean Hospital | $45,439 | $21.85 |
| 2 | Santa Clara University | $43,074 | $20.71 |
| 3 | State Of Illinois - Illinois Student Assistance Commission | $40,914 | $19.67 |
| 4 | Prime Healthcare | $40,783 | $19.61 |
| 5 | Loyola Marymount University | $39,790 | $19.13 |
| 6 | Bethel University | $39,517 | $19.00 |
| 7 | Mission Regional Medical Center | $38,605 | $18.56 |
| 8 | Methodist Home for Children | $38,511 | $18.51 |
| 9 | Positive Alternatives | $37,727 | $18.14 |
| 10 | Health Connect America | $37,487 | $18.02 |
| 11 | Thriveworks | $36,765 | $17.68 |
| 12 | Partners Healthcare Solutions Inc | $36,713 | $17.65 |
| 13 | C & P HOLDINGS, LLC | $36,713 | $17.65 |
| 14 | Seasoned | $36,325 | $17.46 |
| 15 | SITRIN CHARLES T HEALTH CARE | $35,994 | $17.30 |
| 16 | Springbrook Software | $35,866 | $17.24 |
| 17 | CP International | $35,734 | $17.18 |
| 18 | Mohawk Opportunities | $35,291 | $16.97 |
| 19 | BRC | $34,848 | $16.75 |
| 20 | Loretto | $33,040 | $15.88 |
The average residence counselor salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $35,988 | $17.30 |
| 2 | Professional | $35,913 | $17.27 |
| 3 | Government | $34,463 | $16.57 |
| 4 | Non Profits | $33,937 | $16.32 |
| 5 | Health Care | $33,514 | $16.11 |
The average residence counselor salary has risen by $5,990 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average residence counselor earned $28,941 annually, but today, they earn $34,931 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for residence counselors over the last decade.
Compare residence counselor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare residence counselor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,900 | $16.79 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $33,900 | $16.28 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $33,100 | $15.90 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $32,300 | $15.51 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $31,600 | $15.21 | +2.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison University | Resident-Counseling Center | Harrisonburg, VA | 06/19/2025 | $45,000 |
| State of Virginia | Resident-Counseling Center | Harrisonburg, VA | 06/19/2025 | $45,000 |
| State of Illinois | DOC FOX Valley ATC Corrections Residence Counselor I | Aurora, IL | 06/19/2025 | $65,004 |
| Mental Health Association of Westchester | Residence Counselor-ASL | Nanuet, NY | 06/16/2025 | $36,209 |
| Rescue Mission of Utica Ny | Resident Counselor I | Utica, NY | 06/16/2025 | $33,392 |
| Ccrcda | Residence Counselor-Per Diem | Gloversville, NY | 06/16/2025 | $35,479 |
| Greater Mental Health of New York | Residence Counselor-ASL | Nanuet, NY | 06/16/2025 | $36,209 |
| Fountain House | Residence Counselor-441 Residence | New York, NY | 06/15/2025 | $49,003 |
| Citizen Advocates | Residence Counselor | Malone, NY | 06/14/2025 | $37,566 |
| Pathways, Inc. | Residence Counselor Overnight | Elmira, NY | 06/13/2025 | $36,523 |
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