How To Become A Residential Worker: What It Is and Career Path

What is a residential worker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Debra Minsky-Kelly

The average residential worker salary is $33,998. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an psychology major. It usually takes 6-12 months of experience to become a residential worker. Residential workers with a First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 12% and produce 52,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a residential worker?

Debra Minsky-Kelly

Director of Field Education / Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work, Carthage College

I think there are two critical skills for social workers, whether they are first entering the workforce or seasoned professionals. These skills are humility and an appreciation for ambiguity in our work. A humble approach to our work empowers clients to become experts on their circumstances. Social workers are then positioned in a collaborative role to help clients use existing skills and resources to improve their situations. An appreciation for ambiguity is closely related to the idea of humility. It helps us to remember that practice situations we face in this field are often far more complicated than they appear on the surface. Thus, all social workers need to make a strong commitment to lifelong learning and ongoing consultation with colleagues to ensure that multiple perspectives are included as we work to solve complex problems.

ScoreResidential WorkerUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $33,998

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.97%

Asian 6.00%

Black or African American 9.09%

Hispanic or Latino 15.12%

Unknown 5.00%

White 62.83%

Gender

female 68.38%

male 31.62%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a residential worker

Explore residential worker education requirements

Most common residential worker degrees

Bachelor's

52.9 %

Associate

16.4 %

High School Diploma

13.5 %

Start to develop specific residential worker skills

Skills	Percentages
Mental Health	18.96%
Rehabilitation	9.43%
Residential Care	8.60%
Crisis Intervention	8.09%
Mental Illness	5.88%

Complete relevant residential worker training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New residential workers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a residential worker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real residential worker resumes.

Research residential worker duties and responsibilities

Lead support groups with an emphasis on recovery and strength base techniques, DBT, CBT, self-care and coping skills.
Assist with ADL s including hygiene and medication administration.
Assist in the ADL's of intellectually challenge adults and children.
Assist residents with daily treatment and care.train in basic medical skills, CPR, a and fire protection.

Prepare your residential worker resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your residential worker resume.

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