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Residential assistant vs service assistant

The differences between residential assistants and service assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a residential assistant and a service assistant. Additionally, a service assistant has an average salary of $31,928, 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 service assistant are excellent interpersonal, basic math, and customer satisfaction.

Residential assistant vs service assistant overview

Residential AssistantService Assistant
Yearly salary$30,918$31,928
Hourly rate$14.86$15.35
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs91,32669,115
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a residential assistant do?

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.

What does a service assistant do?

A Service Assistant's responsibility depends on the line of work or industry involved. However, the primary responsibility of a Service Assistant is to respond to a customer's inquiry and offer them assistance, a suggestion, or a solution. Aside from ensuring customer satisfaction, a Service Assistant may also process payments, discuss product information, and sell products or services in adherence to the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, A Service Assistant needs to keep records of transactions at all times and report to management or supervisors.

Residential assistant vs service assistant salary

Residential assistants and service assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Residential AssistantService Assistant
Average salary$30,918$31,928
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $37,000Between $23,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyUniversity of CaliforniaBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between residential assistant and service assistant education

There are a few differences between a residential assistant and a service assistant in terms of educational background:

Residential AssistantService Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY at BinghamtonNorthwestern University

Residential assistant vs service assistant demographics

Here are the differences between residential assistants' and service assistants' demographics:

Residential AssistantService Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 34.4% Female, 65.6%Male, 35.8% Female, 64.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 6.7% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between residential assistant and service assistant duties and responsibilities

Residential assistant example responsibilities.

  • Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Ensure the safety and well being of all inpatient residents, following standards learned in training, certify in CPR.
  • Assist children with disabilities with ADL's, activities, education, employment, medication administration and integration into the community.
  • Assist clients with ADL's including but not limit to brushing teeth, bed bath, shaving, nail care etc.
  • Assist management and other coordinators as needed.
  • Maintain certifications with medications CPR and crisis management training.
  • Show more

Service assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage day-to-day operations including contract management, accounts payable, receivables, payroll and general administrative assistance.
  • Develop contracting strategy to build capacity and achieve ongoing compliance with Medicare and Medicaid provider network adequacy requirements.
  • Manage and update company Facebook page with daily updates, finding/sharing relevant and interesting information, and encouraging fan engagement.
  • Function as part of the trauma team by performing CPR.
  • Set up and maintain CPR certifications for all instructional aids.
  • Review supplies, materials, vendor selection for WIS and NICU.
  • Show more

Residential assistant vs service assistant skills

Common residential assistant skills
  • Direct Care, 13%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Mental Health, 9%
  • Meal Preparation, 9%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Household Chores, 5%
Common service assistant skills
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 17%
  • Basic Math, 13%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 10%
  • Math, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Veterans, 6%

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