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The differences between residential advisors and residence counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a residence counselor has an average salary of $34,931, which is higher than the $33,593 average annual salary of a residential advisor.
The top three skills for a residential advisor include patrol, substance abuse and behavior management. The most important skills for a residence counselor are developmental disabilities, CPR, and community resources.
| Residential Advisor | Residence Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $33,593 | $34,931 |
| Hourly rate | $16.15 | $16.79 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 47,150 | 78,872 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 26 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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.
Residence counselors are professionals who are responsible for providing services such as one-to-one therapy and crisis support to clients who are living in group homes or assisted-living facilities. These counselors must assist adults with moderate intellectual disabilities to find employment while monitoring their work performance. They must facilitate and supervise daily personal care and activities for developmentally disabled adults. Residence counselors must also encourage clients to participate in community activities that can contribute to the development of skills necessary for independent living.
Residential advisors and residence counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Residential Advisor | Residence Counselor | |
| Average salary | $33,593 | $34,931 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $44,000 | Between $28,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Edison, NJ | Phoenix, AZ |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Washington |
| Best paying company | Dynamic Educational Systems, Inc. | McLean Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between a residential advisor and a residence counselor in terms of educational background:
| Residential Advisor | Residence Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Howard University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between residential advisors' and residence counselors' demographics:
| Residential Advisor | Residence Counselor | |
| Average age | 26 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.3% Female, 57.7% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 15% |