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Residential instructor salary
Average residential instructor salary
$14.28
Understanding Residential Instructor Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Residential Instructor stands at $29,695 per year. This figure can vary significantly based on experience, location, and specific job duties. For instance, instructors with more years in the field tend to earn higher salaries.
In addition to experience, geographical location plays a crucial role in salary differences. States such as California and New York often offer higher wages than others. It’s important to explore salary estimates by state to identify where you can maximize your earning potential.
Furthermore, various roles within residential instruction may command different pay rates. Positions that require specialized skills or additional responsibilities can lead to increased compensation. For example, instructors working with specific populations or in leadership roles may find themselves at the higher end of the salary spectrum.
For those considering a career as a Residential Instructor, it’s beneficial to research local job markets and salary trends. By understanding the factors that influence earnings, you can make informed decisions about your career path.
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Where can a Residential Instructor earn more?
Residential instructor salaries by experience level
Residential instructor salary estimates from across the web
Average residential instructor salary by state
The highest-paying states for residential instructors are North Dakota, Washington, and Maine. The lowest average residential instructor salary states are Kentucky, Delaware, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for residential instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $39,434 | $18.96 |
| 2 | Maine | $37,262 | $17.91 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $33,553 | $16.13 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $31,993 | $15.38 |
| 5 | California | $37,232 | $17.90 |
| 6 | Wyoming | $31,603 | $15.19 |
| 7 | Oregon | $32,679 | $15.71 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $32,087 | $15.43 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $32,701 | $15.72 |
| 10 | Iowa | $30,279 | $14.56 |
| 11 | Washington | $38,854 | $18.68 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $30,671 | $14.75 |
| 13 | Arizona | $33,167 | $15.95 |
| 14 | New York | $30,823 | $14.82 |
| 15 | North Carolina | $29,198 | $14.04 |
| 16 | Virginia | $31,088 | $14.95 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $28,063 | $13.49 |
| 18 | Colorado | $30,528 | $14.68 |
| 19 | Montana | $29,194 | $14.04 |
| 20 | Alaska | $29,975 | $14.41 |
| 21 | Illinois | $30,548 | $14.69 |
| 22 | Kansas | $28,739 | $13.82 |
| 23 | Louisiana | $28,915 | $13.90 |
| 24 | Michigan | $27,500 | $13.22 |
| 25 | Nevada | $28,346 | $13.63 |
| 26 | Vermont | $30,493 | $14.66 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $28,411 | $13.66 |
| 28 | Idaho | $28,989 | $13.94 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $29,548 | $14.21 |
| 30 | Utah | $27,780 | $13.36 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $25,851 | $12.43 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $27,008 | $12.98 |
| 33 | Alabama | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| 34 | Indiana | $25,579 | $12.30 |
| 35 | Maryland | $27,924 | $13.43 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $26,885 | $12.93 |
| 37 | New Hampshire | $27,885 | $13.41 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $24,890 | $11.97 |
| 39 | Rhode Island | $23,729 | $11.41 |
| 40 | Delaware | $22,938 | $11.03 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $24,148 | $11.61 |
| 42 | Missouri | $26,124 | $12.56 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $25,977 | $12.49 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $23,126 | $11.12 |
| 45 | Texas | $24,038 | $11.56 |
| 46 | Georgia | $21,915 | $10.54 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $24,237 | $11.65 |
| 48 | Ohio | $22,084 | $10.62 |
| 49 | Florida | $20,986 | $10.09 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $22,493 | $10.81 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $22,260 | $10.70 |
Highest paying cities for residential instructors
The highest-paying cities for residential instructors are Bell, CA, Shelton, CT, and Elmira, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bell, CA | $36,903 | $17.74 |
| 2 | Shelton, CT | $32,718 | $15.73 |
| 3 | Elmira, NY | $31,015 | $14.91 |
| 4 | Randolph, MA | $30,710 | $14.76 |
| 5 | Manchester, NH | $27,890 | $13.41 |
| 6 | Grand Rapids, MI | $27,518 | $13.23 |
| 7 | Kansas City, MO | $26,180 | $12.59 |
| 8 | Tulsa, OK | $22,439 | $10.79 |
| 9 | Daytona Beach, FL | $21,032 | $10.11 |
Residential instructor salary details
A residential instructor's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a residential instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $29,695 | $2,475 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying residential instructor jobs
The highest paying types of residential instructors are communications instructor, instructor, and program instructor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Care Staffer | $30,480 | $2,540 | $14.65 | 117,658 |
| Direct Support Staff | $31,268 | $2,606 | $15.03 | 182,001 |
| Direct Care Provider | $29,470 | $2,456 | $14.17 | 117,168 |
| Direct Support Professional | $32,077 | $2,673 | $15.42 | 142,034 |
| Direct Care Worker | $29,343 | $2,445 | $14.11 | 140,788 |
| Direct Care Counselor | $33,422 | $2,785 | $16.07 | 123,519 |
Top companies hiring residential instructors now:
Which companies pay residential instructors the most?
Residential instructor salaries at Boston Higashi School and North American Savings Bank are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average residential instructor salary at companies like CRI Foster Care and Alternative Services-Connecticut Inc are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Higashi School | $38,562 | $18.54 |
| 2 | North American Savings Bank | $31,689 | $15.24 |
| 3 | CRI Foster Care | $29,637 | $14.25 |
| 4 | Alternative Services-Connecticut Inc | $29,633 | $14.25 |
| 5 | Grafton Integrated Health Network | $29,562 | $14.21 |
| 6 | My Florida Regional Mls | $29,234 | $14.05 |
| 7 | Advocates | $29,002 | $13.94 |
| 8 | Powell Valley Care Ctr | $28,998 | $13.94 |
| 9 | Hope Network | $27,875 | $13.40 |
| 10 | Tulsa Tech | $26,239 | $12.61 |
| 11 | Florida Department of Transportation | $24,400 | $11.73 |
| 12 | State Of Florida | $24,290 | $11.68 |
| 13 | Florida Dept. of Health | $24,253 | $11.66 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Residential Instructor salary by industry
The average residential instructor salary varies across industries:
- The average residential instructor salary in the education industry is $31,699, the highest of any industry.
- The average residential instructor salary in the finance industry is $30,405.
- Residential instructors in the professional industry earn an average salary of $27,962, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for residential instructors
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $31,699 | $15.24 |
| 2 | Non Profits | $30,405 | $14.62 |
| 3 | Health Care | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| 4 | Technology | $29,501 | $14.18 |
| 5 | Government | $28,369 | $13.64 |
| 6 | Professional | $27,962 | $13.44 |
High paying residential instructor jobs
Residential instructor salary trends
The average residential instructor salary has risen by $6,331 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average residential instructor earned $23,364 annually, but today, they earn $29,695 a year. That works out to a 22% change in pay for residential instructors over the last decade.
Compare residential instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average residential instructor salary over time
Compare residential instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Residential instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,700 | $14.28 | +5.6% |
| 2024 | $28,000 | $13.48 | +5.4% |
| 2023 | $26,500 | $12.75 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | $25,500 | $12.28 | +4.7% |
| 2021 | $24,300 | $11.70 | +2.3% |
Recently added residential instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better Community Living | Residential Instructor (Direct Care Professional) | New Bedford, MA | 06/20/2025 | $38,067 |
| Easter Seals New Hampshire | Residential Instructor, 2Nd Shift-Boys Group Home | Manchester, NH | 06/13/2025 | $48,001 |
| State of Florida | Residential Instructor-(Deaf Boarding Overnights) 48008609 | Noma, FL | 06/10/2025 | $26,146 |
| State of Florida | Residential Instructor-(Deaf Boarding Afternoons) 48008547 | Saint Augustine, FL | 05/20/2025 | $26,146 |
| Star | Awake Overnight Residential Instructor | Norwalk, CT | 05/19/2025 | $38,610 |
| Easter Seals New Hampshire | Residential Instructor | Manchester, NH | 05/17/2025 | $48,001 |
| Community Residences | Residential Instructor | Stratford, CT | 04/28/2025 | $34,436 |
| Star | Residential Instructor | Norwalk, CT | 04/18/2025 | $38,610 |
| Easter Seals New Hampshire | Residential Instructor, 2Nd Shift-Boys Group Home | Manchester, NH | 04/02/2025 | $48,001 |
| Easter Seals New Hampshire | Residential Instructor, 2Nd Shift-Boys Group Home | Manchester, NH | 03/29/2025 | $48,001 |
Residential instructor salary FAQs
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