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The differences between residential assistants and residential advisors 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 $30,918 average annual salary of a residential assistant.
The top three skills for a residential assistant include direct care, developmental disabilities and mental health. The most important skills for a residential advisor are patrol, substance abuse, and behavior management.
| Residential Assistant | Residential Advisor | |
| Yearly salary | $30,918 | $33,593 |
| Hourly rate | $14.86 | $16.15 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 91,326 | 47,150 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 43 | 26 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
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.
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.
Residential assistants and residential advisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Residential Assistant | Residential Advisor | |
| Average salary | $30,918 | $33,593 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $37,000 | Between $25,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Edison, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | University of California | Dynamic Educational Systems, Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a residential assistant and a residential advisor in terms of educational background:
| Residential Assistant | Residential Advisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | SUNY at Binghamton | Howard University |
Here are the differences between residential assistants' and residential advisors' demographics:
| Residential Assistant | Residential Advisor | |
| Average age | 43 | 26 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6% | Male, 42.3% Female, 57.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 13% |