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How to hire a residential instructor

Residential instructor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring residential instructors in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a residential instructor is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per residential instructor on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 115,624 residential instructors in the US, and there are currently 60,002 job openings in this field.
  • Colchester, CT, has the highest demand for residential instructors, with 18 job openings.

How to hire a residential instructor, step by step

To hire a residential instructor, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a residential instructor, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step residential instructor hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a residential instructor job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new residential instructor
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the residential instructor you need to hire. Certain residential instructor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a residential instructor to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a residential instructor that fits the bill.

    This list presents residential instructor salaries for various positions.

    Type of Residential InstructorDescriptionHourly rate
    Residential Instructor$10-18
    Direct Care StafferA Direct Care Staffer specializes in providing personal care and supervision to the disabled or elderly. Among the responsibilities include administering medication, managing schedules, assisting in hygienic tasks, preparing meals, and doing light to moderate household chores... Show more$9-22
    Direct Support StaffThe direct support staff is a professional who takes responsibility for the overall care of people with developmental disabilities. Direct support professionals work directly with developmental illness patients in long-term health care facilities... Show more$8-25
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Direct Care
    • Autism
    • Data Collection
    • Developmental Disabilities
    • Direct Supervision
    • Community Integration
    • Role Model
    • Independent Living
    • Direct Support
    • Behavioral Health Issues
    • Meal Preparation
    • Home Maintenance
    • Crisis Intervention
    • Administer Medications
    Check all skills
    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.
    More residential instructor duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your residential instructor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A residential instructor salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, residential instructors' average salary in florida is 47% less than in north dakota.
    • Seniority. Entry-level residential instructors earn 44% less than senior-level residential instructors.
    • Certifications. A residential instructor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a residential instructor's salary.

    Average residential instructor salary

    $14.28hourly

    $29,695 yearly

    Entry-level residential instructor salary
    $22,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 19, 2026

    Average residential instructor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$36,903$18
    2Connecticut$32,718$16
    3New York$31,015$15
    4Massachusetts$30,710$15
    5New Hampshire$27,890$13
    6Michigan$27,518$13
    7Missouri$26,180$13
    8Oklahoma$22,439$11
    9Florida$21,032$10

    Average residential instructor salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Boston Higashi School$38,562$18.542
    2North American Savings Bank$31,689$15.24
    3CRI Foster Care$29,637$14.2522
    4Alternative Services-Connecticut Inc$29,633$14.2536
    5Grafton Integrated Health Network$29,562$14.2113
    6My Florida Regional Mls$29,234$14.05
    7Advocates$29,002$13.9476
    8Powell Valley Care Ctr$28,998$13.941
    9Hope Network$27,875$13.4044
    10Tulsa Tech$26,239$12.6118
    11Florida Department of Transportation$24,400$11.73
    12State Of Florida$24,290$11.6848
    13Florida Dept. of Health$24,253$11.66
  4. Writing a residential instructor job description

    A good residential instructor job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a residential instructor job description:

    Residential instructor job description example

    1. Must meet the qualifications for Residential Instructor job functions and requirements. Must be able to lift 70-75lbs.
    1. Must be able to utilize approved protective hold techniques in order to keep you, clients, and co-workers safe; works with youth who may potentially cause harm to you or others.
    1. In addition to Residential Instructor job duties, the Assistant Manager must be able to assist the Program Manager in the following areas:

    a. Schedule/maintain adequate staffing when staff patterns are interrupted; ensure that client care and activity schedules are maintained.

    b. Ensure that data sheets are current and complete.

    c. Participate in the CRI in-service training to ensure provision of quality services to the clients; assist with staff in-servicing to ensure that all staff are in-serviced as required.

    d. Be responsible for overall running of the residential home in the absence of the Program Manager.

    e. Participate in the Interdisciplinary Team process when possible, staffing permitted; provide input and write reports as needed.

    f. Assist with all other duties designated by the Program Manager.

    1. Assist the Program Manager with the development of programs for each client based on the needs stated in the Individual Plan of Service.
    1. Work with all consultants (i.e. Speech Therapist, OT, PT, etc.) to ensure necessary services recommended by the consultants are adhered to according to the Program Manager’s direction.
    1. Conduct him/herself as a good role model to clients and staff (i.e. manners, dress, conversation, etc.).
    1. Participate in all staff meetings in order to enhance the services provided to clients.
    1. Aid CRI in maintaining positive relationships with the community.
    1. Familiarize self with CRI Policies and Procedures, ensuring compliance with same.
    1. Help maintain a clean program site inclusive of cleaning, vacuuming, etc…, on a daily basis per supervisor direction.
    1. Provide supervision to staff while working within the staff complement.
    1. Rotate the on-call coverage with the manager to handle staffing issues and any problems that arise.

    JOB REQUIREMENTS

    1. Valid CT driver’s license and a good driving record required.

    2. Must be able to become certified in CPR and First Aid. As of 1/1/98, must

    become Medication Administration Certified within 4 months of the date

    of hire and be responsible for renewing all required certifications.

    3. Demonstrate organizational ability.

    4. Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively with adults who are

    developmentally disabled.

    5. Demonstrate ability to supervise and guide other staff while acting on behalf

    of the Program Manager.

    6. Demonstrate ability to maintain consumers’ right to privacy, and adhere to

    CRI’s Confidentiality policy.

    7. Demonstrate knowledge of current issues in the field of Developmental

    Disabilities.

    OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

    1. Display motivation and interest in improving quality of life for the population

    served.

    2. Display interest in being part of a multi-disciplinary teaching approach.

    EDUCATION

    Bachelor’s Degree, or an Associates Degree and one (1) year experience in the Human Services Field. Or: a high school diploma or GED with two (2) years’ experience in the Human Services field.



    Fri 11a- 8p, Sat 9a-4, Tues 12:30p7:30p, Wed 1p-7p, Thurs 3p-8p
    33
  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right residential instructor for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your residential instructor job on Zippia to find and recruit residential instructor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit residential instructors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new residential instructor

    Once you've selected the best residential instructor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new residential instructor. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a residential instructor?

There are different types of costs for hiring residential instructors. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new residential instructor employee.

You can expect to pay around $29,695 per year for a residential instructor, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for residential instructors in the US typically range between $10 and $18 an hour.

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