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Residential assistant vs youth assistant

The differences between residential assistants and youth 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 youth assistant. Additionally, a residential assistant has an average salary of $30,918, which is higher than the $30,242 average annual salary of a youth assistant.

The top three skills for a residential assistant include direct care, developmental disabilities and mental health. The most important skills for a youth assistant are child guidance, CPR, and community services.

Residential assistant vs youth assistant overview

Residential AssistantYouth Assistant
Yearly salary$30,918$30,242
Hourly rate$14.86$14.54
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs91,32670,165
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
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 youth assistant do?

A youth assistant is responsible for developing activity plans and scheduling programs in line with a child or youth's unique needs. As a youth assistant, you'll need to observe and understand a kid's needs and incorporate activities or social plans to help the child develop. Youth assistants are tasked with meeting the child's unique social, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. A youth assistant also instructs, demonstrates, facilitates, and leads various program activities to benefit the child or youth in care.

Residential assistant vs youth assistant salary

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

Residential AssistantYouth Assistant
Average salary$30,918$30,242
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $37,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DC-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyUniversity of California-
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between residential assistant and youth assistant education

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

Residential AssistantYouth Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeSUNY at BinghamtonNorthwestern University

Residential assistant vs youth assistant demographics

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

Residential AssistantYouth Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 34.4% Female, 65.6%Male, 44.4% Female, 55.6%
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, 12.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between residential assistant and youth 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

Youth assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent compliance.
  • Assist in the development and oversee the youth ministry budget.
  • Develop individual education plans (IEP's) for students to address their educational needs inside a classroom environment.
  • Be aware and supply the resources for developing the youth ministry -program and participate in continuing education events and training opportunities.
  • Receive job and leadership training with exposure to environmental safety, recycling and horticulture.
  • Retain proper certifications for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first aid, driver's license and insurance.

Residential assistant vs youth assistant skills

Common residential assistant skills
  • Direct Care, 13%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Mental Health, 9%
  • Meal Preparation, 9%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Household Chores, 5%
Common youth assistant skills
  • Child Guidance, 40%
  • CPR, 10%
  • Community Services, 5%
  • Crisis Intervention, 5%
  • Youth Program, 4%
  • at-Risk Youth, 4%

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