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Job outlook for residential program managers in the United States
Residential program manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected residential program manager job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 20,400 new jobs for residential program managers are projected over the next decade.
Residential program manager salaries have increased 8% for residential program managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 19,403 residential program managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 147,729 active residential program manager job openings in the US.
The average residential program manager salary is $45,207.
Are residential program manager jobs in demand?
Residential program manager job and salary trends over time
Residential program manager jobs over time
Residential program manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19,403 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 20,622 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 21,362 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 21,094 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 21,006 | 0.01% |
Average residential program manager salary over time
Residential program manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45,207 | $21.73 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $43,616 | $20.97 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $42,427 | $20.40 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $41,635 | $20.02 | --0.9% |
| 2021 | $42,011 | $20.20 | +1.8% |
Residential program manager jobs by state
Most common states for residential program managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 481 | 69% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,590 | 35% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 232 | 22% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 263 | 20% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 192 | 20% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,568 | 19% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 201 | 19% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,262 | 18% |
| 9 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 104 | 18% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 713 | 17% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 613 | 17% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 513 | 17% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 901 | 16% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 890 | 16% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 900 | 15% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 282 | 15% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 112 | 15% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 241 | 14% |
| 19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,201 | 13% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 116 | 13% |
Most common cities for residential program managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnstable Town | 3 | 7% | $43,634 |
| 2 | Naugatuck | 1 | 3% | $42,308 |
| 3 | Northbrook | 1 | 3% | $48,675 |
| 4 | Richfield | 1 | 3% | $38,373 |
| 5 | Kokomo | 1 | 2% | $43,010 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $32,697 |
| 7 | Urban Honolulu | 1 | 0% | $42,299 |
| 8 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $51,859 |
Residential Program Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of residential program manager experts
Middle Tennessee State University
Midland University
University of West Georgia
Boston University
Freed-Hardeman University
Nicholls State University
California State University, San Bernardino
Western Carolina University
Auburn University at Montgomery
Maryville University
Davenport University
Azusa Pacific University
Thiel College
Iona College
How have salaries changed over time for Residential Program Managers?
Frank Lambert Ph.D.: Salaries continue to rise. There are hundreds of graduates across the nation every semester, and yet there are still multiple job openings. Retirement of baby boomers in librarianship appears to be increasing. I would not say there is a shortage of qualified candidates; however, according to the Library Journal's most recent salary survey, their 2019 Placements & Salaries survey learned that full-time grads earned on average 6.2 percent more than they did in 2018 www.libraryjournal.com
This also was a 24% increase from 2011 salary levels. Salaries increasing this much may be due to, as I wrote, a glut of open positions in librarianship due to retirements, but closer analysis should be conducted before anything definitive is stated.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Residential Program Managers to find work opportunities?
Dr. George Conrad: As the population of teachers begin to age, more and more positions are becoming available. As we continue to see population growth in Southwestern States, teaching positions will continue to grow.
The real answer for future candidates is their willingness to teacher high large metropolitan cities and rural communities. Most large cities are surrounded with suburban school districts. With the movement to a suburban live style, more and more cities deal with student populations of color and with more than average poverty. If a candidate is willing to consider this challenge, they can find highly rewarding careers. This is especially true for candidates of color.
On the other side of the population movement, more and more rural areas are seeing a reduction in students and also seeing a reduction in the number of new teachers interested in moving to small communities to begin their career. As a result, candidates interested in work in "small town" American can find rewarding opportunities to build relationships with students and families (I started my career in a 3-room country school in the 70's and I originally came from outside Chicago).
Dr. Robyn Huss
Associate Professor and Coordinator of Initial Teacher Certification ProgramsUniversity of West Georgia
Department of Early Childhood Through Secondary Education
What will help Residential Program Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Robyn Huss: Public school teachers in Georgia, as in many states, are paid on a set salary schedule determined by their years of teaching experience and their highest degree achievement. Earning a graduate degree at the next level is the quickest route to a pay raise, which in turn increases their retirement benefits.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Residential Program Managers?
V. Scott Solberg Ph.D.: The information and computer technology and health sciences sectors are two promising future employment arenas to consider. Within information and computer technology, data science skills are in high demand. For both information and computer technology and health sciences there are a range of certifications one can receive from a two-year postsecondary institution that lead to high wage occupations. The new byword is "stackable credentials" whereby one adds more than one credential that results in a wider range of occupational opportunities as well as the ability to move up in pay within a given sector.
What's a day at work look like for a Residential Program Manager?
Kristen Roberson: That depends on the role they are in, but the big hurdle is going to be landing that first role. They need to be willing to shift their plans, be ready to try contract or project-based work. No matter where they land, the ability to self-manage will be more critical than before 2020 since more work will be remote and much more video conferences, and a lot less travel.
Dr. Cynthia Vavasseur
Associate Professor of Education, Professor of ED, Program Chair Ed-tech LeadershipNicholls State University
Teacher Education Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Residential Program Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Cynthia Vavasseur: By far, the biggest trend in the job market of educational leadership will be how technology can drive instruction, innovation and student success. Before the pandemic, educational technology was a hot topic. In the last year, the need for educational technology professionals at both the K12 and Higher Education level have been highlighted.
How have salaries changed over time for Residential Program Managers?
Dr. Cynthia Vavasseur: Education and educational leadership is not a profession to go into for the money. That being said, as the need for educational technology professionals grows, I would imagine so would the salary range.
How have salaries changed over time for Residential Program Managers?
Stephen Bronack Ph.D.: I believe there is growing recognition of the important role teachers play in our communities, and a renewed interest in ensuring teachers are not left behind when it comes to making a good living.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Residential Program Managers?
Angela Sebby Ph.D.: While jobs may be slower to return to the capacity pre-Covid, the industry and tourism employment will rebound as people still want to travel and explore diverse foods, cultures, and experiences. However, the enduring impact will be the rapid onset of technology that allowed for limited contact with employees and others has become the new norm. Although human interaction is an important aspect of service in the tourism industry, employers have found that they can reduce the number of personal interactions but still deliver an acceptable level of quality service. What would have taken years to adopt, COVID created an amplified adoption.
What technical skills for a Residential Program Manager stand out to employers?
Angela Sebby Ph.D.: Business, creative, and organizational skills - I would recommend that upcoming graduates are proficient in Word, Excel (highly used), Powerpoint, Outlook (especially how to send meeting requests and calendar organization), TEAMS, Gantt charts for team management, Mindmapping for creativity, and design software. Additionally, I would recommend that they learn how to properly utilize social media for marketing and PR, not just personal posting. Finally, email etiquette would be essential.
What soft skills should all Residential Program Managers possess?
TeWhan Hahn Ph.D.: Writing skills including email writing, being able to work in teams, and knowing the workplace etiquettes.
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.
Program Director & Assistant ProfessorMaryville University
Speech-Language Pathology
What's a day at work look like for a Residential Program Manager?
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.: A bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders can prepare you for three different tracks. First, it can prepare you to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). This is someone who works under a fully credential speech-language pathologist. Often times, they carryout intervention plans developed by a fully credentialed speech-language pathologist. If graduate school is on your horizon, a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders will prepare you for acceptance into a Speech-Language Pathology program, or an Audiology program. If you are not accepted into a graduate program right away, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great way to get experience in the field!
What soft skills should all Residential Program Managers possess?
Todd Terry: Graduates as they prepare to enter the workforce should pay particular attention to their ability to communicate with coworkers. This communication could happen through face-to-face interactions, remote meetings with the aid of technology for example, meeting by computer software, written communication through instant messaging, or emails. Also, part of communicating is being a good listener.
Graduates should have good critical thinking skills. They will need to be adaptive and able to analyze data to make good informed decisions.
In today's work environment, working on teams is a regular function. Therefore, employers are looking for the candidate who can professionally interact with other team members, have a positive attitude and a good work ethic.
What's a day at work look like for a Residential Program Manager?
Todd Terry: What once was well defined with working hours, an office space, coworkers being close by to develop relationships with seems to be misplaced during the current working environment. In the working situation we are in today, graduates will need to be flexible with working hours as work hours may not be defined and could change by day. Office space may mean that one is working remotely from home. Building of relationships with coworkers will be done using technology as coworkers may be located in many different areas or time zones.
In general business will continue to function remotely. The pandemic has created a sense of creativity in how business is done. The one major component the pandemic has created is where large and small businesses are conducting daily business functions from remote locations. This practice has proven that business can be effectively done without having to travel to distant locations. Consequently, business travel will be continue to be slow.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Residential Program Managers?
Bala Musa Ph.D.: Digital literacy, cultural literacy, information technology, data management and human communication skills courses and certifications will continue to be relevant in the workplace.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Residential Program Manager job market given the pandemic?
Mary Beth Mason Ph.D.: I think we are going to see teletherapy as a more common service delivery model across settings. I think that that will be what I call a "Pandemic Positive". I think many states will pass legislation post pandemic for teletherapy to be a reimbursable service.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Residential Program Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Malissa Scheuring Leipold: The biggest trends we have and will continue to see in the job market given the pandemic is the need for more teachers who are comfortable with classroom based educational technology, as well as the uncertainly of the environment. We have seen a mass exodus of those nearing retirement and those who struggle with a complete commitment to the teaching profession. The need for teachers who are adaptable and positive in the face of uncertainly are craved by the schools and school districts, across public and private schools.
We have also seen a rapid growth in the need for home-based tutors to accompany children along the remote learning journey, as well as a request for teachers who would be willing to teach in the pod model where small groups of families group together and have their children educated together in their home under the guidance of qualified educational bodies. There are more jobs in education available than we can fill with our college graduates.
What Residential Program Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Malissa Scheuring Leipold: If a graduate needs to take a gap year, I would recommend that they keep their footing in the education field in some manner. Whether this is training in educational platforms, like Google Classroom or IXL which have become very popular among PK-12 schooling, this will enhance the skills which are now required in most classrooms today since the current climate dictates whether schooling may be in-person one day and remote another. Such classes/workshops are offered through colleges and universities, such as Iona, as well as through professional educator groups, such as Kappa Delta Pi, which is an international honor society in education. Also, every curricular area has professional memberships for teachers, and they consistently offer refresher workshops which keep teachers abreast of the latest in their field. Employers want to know that their teacher candidates and teachers take the initiative to be lifelong learners and model continuous best practice.