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Residential counselor vs residential instructor

The differences between residential counselors and residential instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a residential counselor has an average salary of $34,117, which is higher than the $29,695 average annual salary of a residential instructor.

The top three skills for a residential counselor include direct care, medication administration and mental health. The most important skills for a residential instructor are direct care, autism, and data collection.

Residential counselor vs residential instructor overview

Residential CounselorResidential Instructor
Yearly salary$34,117$29,695
Hourly rate$16.40$14.28
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs81,28760,002
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4126
Years of experience4-

Residential counselor vs residential instructor salary

Residential counselors and residential instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Residential CounselorResidential Instructor
Average salary$34,117$29,695
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $42,000Between $22,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WABell, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonNorth Dakota
Best paying companyThe EvergreensBoston Higashi School
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between residential counselor and residential instructor education

There are a few differences between a residential counselor and a residential instructor in terms of educational background:

Residential CounselorResidential Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Pennsylvania

Residential counselor vs residential instructor demographics

Here are the differences between residential counselors' and residential instructors' demographics:

Residential CounselorResidential Instructor
Average age4126
Gender ratioMale, 33.0% Female, 67.0%Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 7.3% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage15%13%

Differences between residential counselor and residential instructor duties and responsibilities

Residential counselor example responsibilities.

  • Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
  • Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Train in AMAP, SCIP, and first aid procedures.
  • Assist residents with ADL, occasionally accompany to medical appointments, administer medications.
  • Refine an understanding of HIPAA and DMH programs.
  • Assist special needs students to reach their IEP and treatment plan goals in 1:1 and group settings.
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Residential instructor example responsibilities.

  • Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Participate in monthly ISP meetings regarding status and progress of each individual consumer.
  • Complete daily ADL s with clients per POC provide by behaviorists, therapists, etc.
  • Assist clients with all ADL's (activities of daily living), as needed while promoting independence.
  • Maintain documentation for administrating medication, daily logs, ISP information and other require data.
  • Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
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Residential counselor vs residential instructor skills

Common residential counselor skills
  • Direct Care, 9%
  • Medication Administration, 9%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Social Work, 7%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 6%
  • Mental Illness, 6%
Common residential instructor skills
  • Direct Care, 10%
  • Autism, 7%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 6%
  • Direct Supervision, 6%
  • Community Integration, 5%

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