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The differences between residential advisors and direct care counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a residential advisor has an average salary of $33,593, which is higher than the $33,422 average annual salary of a direct care counselor.
The top three skills for a residential advisor include patrol, substance abuse and behavior management. The most important skills for a direct care counselor are crisis intervention, autism, and CPR.
| Residential Advisor | Direct Care Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $33,593 | $33,422 |
| Hourly rate | $16.15 | $16.07 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 47,150 | 123,519 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 26 | 48 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Residential advisors are responsible for coordinating activities in various residential buildings and facilities, such as group homes and dormitories. They perform various tasks that include ordering supplies, determining the need for maintenance and repair, and assigning rooms. Residential advisors may help residents with solving their problems or connect them to counseling services or resources. Also, they are responsible for providing first aid or seeking medical assistance in times of emergency, and mediating conflicts between residents. They are also expected to implement rules and regulations for the orderly and smooth operation of residential facilities.
A direct care counselor provides direct counseling and assistance to the elderly or individuals with disabilities and mental issues. They usually work at rehabilitation centers or care facilities and work together with nurses or caregivers to administer different treatment plans, monitor and support the patients' progress, and help the patients carry out daily activities such as performing hygienic or routine living tasks. Moreover, a direct care counselor may also develop and implement various healthcare programs and recreational activities while adhering to the facility's policies and regulations.
Residential advisors and direct care counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Residential Advisor | Direct Care Counselor | |
| Average salary | $33,593 | $33,422 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $44,000 | Between $22,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | Edison, NJ | - |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | - |
| Best paying company | Dynamic Educational Systems, Inc. | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a residential advisor and a direct care counselor in terms of educational background:
| Residential Advisor | Direct Care Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Howard University | - |
Here are the differences between residential advisors' and direct care counselors' demographics:
| Residential Advisor | Direct Care Counselor | |
| Average age | 26 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.3% Female, 57.7% | Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 14.0% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 7.7% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 8.3% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 7% |