Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for residential program workers in the United States
Residential program worker job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected residential program worker job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 52,400 new jobs for residential program workers are projected over the next decade.
Residential program worker salaries have increased 13% for residential program workers in the last 5 years.
There are over 70,778 residential program workers currently employed in the United States.
There are 123,680 active residential program worker job openings in the US.
The average residential program worker salary is $28,309.
Are residential program worker jobs in demand?
Residential program worker job and salary trends over time
Residential program worker jobs over time
Residential program worker job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 70,778 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 70,972 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 151,464 | 0.05% |
| 2018 | 326,345 | 0.10% |
| 2017 | 301,493 | 0.09% |
Average residential program worker salary over time
Residential program worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $28,309 | $13.61 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $27,600 | $13.27 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $26,569 | $12.77 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $26,073 | $12.54 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $25,042 | $12.04 | +3.2% |
Residential program worker jobs by state
Most common states for residential program workers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 961,939 | 378 | 39% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,387 | 35% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 468 | 35% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 280 | 32% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 578 | 30% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 229 | 30% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 871 | 28% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,104 | 27% |
| 9 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 475 | 26% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,410 | 25% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,389 | 25% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 269 | 25% |
| 13 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 730 | 24% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 389 | 23% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,270 | 22% |
| 16 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,467 | 22% |
| 17 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,325 | 22% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 462 | 22% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,192 | 21% |
| 20 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 1,037 | 21% |
Most common cities for residential program workers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpharetta | 1 | 2% | $23,020 |
| 2 | Rockford | 1 | 1% | $29,511 |
| 3 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $27,344 |
| 4 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $33,439 |
Residential Program Worker job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of residential program worker experts
North Dakota State University
Joel Hektner Ph.D.
Professor and Department HeadNorth Dakota State University
Human Development and Family Science
What skills will help Residential Program Workers earn the most?
Joel Hektner Ph.D.: The ability to adapt your skills to the context you are in.
What skills stand out on Residential Program Worker resumes?
Joel Hektner Ph.D.: The ability to work with people of all ages and from all backgrounds. The knowledge of how to facilitate the well-being of children, families, and older adults. Being identified as a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE).
What soft skills should all Residential Program Workers possess?
Joel Hektner Ph.D.: Interpersonal skills, communication, ability to work collaboratively. Respect for individual and cultural differences.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Residential Program Workers?
Joel Hektner Ph.D.: Solid knowledge of developmental milestones for children, issues faced by aging adults, and common family relationship challenges.