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The differences between residential aides 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 $26,176 average annual salary of a residential aide.
The top three skills for a residential aide include autism, developmental disabilities and compassion. The most important skills for a residence counselor are developmental disabilities, CPR, and community resources.
| Residential Aide | Residence Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $26,176 | $34,931 |
| Hourly rate | $12.58 | $16.79 |
| Growth rate | 36% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 74,826 | 78,872 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 3 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 29% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 48 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A residential aide is responsible for assisting residents and patients in a community facility, supporting them in their daily activities and personal routines. Residential aides monitor the patients' health conditions, coordinate with medical professionals, and ensure that they receive the proper medications. They also assist the residents with their inquiries and concerns, as well as developing community programs and events, sustaining the healthy welfare of the citizens. A residential aide must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially when communicating with management and other organizations for assistance on charity works.
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 aides and residence counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Residential Aide | Residence Counselor | |
| Average salary | $26,176 | $34,931 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $33,000 | Between $28,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Beverly, MA | Phoenix, AZ |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Mercy Housing and Shelter | McLean Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a residential aide and a residence counselor in terms of educational background:
| Residential Aide | Residence Counselor | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 29% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | - | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between residential aides' and residence counselors' demographics:
| Residential Aide | Residence Counselor | |
| Average age | 48 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.1% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | 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 | 7% | 15% |