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Residential counselor salary
Average residential counselor salary
$16.4
Average Residential Counselor Salary
The average salary for a Residential Counselor in the United States is approximately $34,117 annually. This translates to about $16 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry of employment. For instance, counselors working in urban areas often earn higher wages compared to those in rural settings.
Salary by State
In states like California and New York, salaries can exceed the national average, reaching up to $40,000 per year. Conversely, states with lower living costs may offer salaries around $28,000. Understanding these regional differences is crucial for job seekers looking to optimize their earning potential.
Opportunities for Growth
Residential Counselors can enhance their earnings through additional certifications, specialized training, and by taking on leadership roles within their organizations. Positions such as Program Director or Clinical Supervisor often come with significant salary increases and benefits. Explore available roles to find the best fit for your career aspirations.
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Where can a Residential Counselor earn more?
Residential counselor salary estimates from across the web
Average residential counselor salary by state
The highest-paying states for residential counselors are Washington, California, and North Dakota. The lowest average residential counselor salary states are Indiana, Mississippi, and Kentucky.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for residential counselors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $42,905 | $20.63 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $38,067 | $18.30 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $39,344 | $18.92 |
| 4 | Alaska | $36,627 | $17.61 |
| 5 | Iowa | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| 6 | New Mexico | $38,644 | $18.58 |
| 7 | California | $39,508 | $18.99 |
| 8 | Oregon | $36,815 | $17.70 |
| 9 | Utah | $38,165 | $18.35 |
| 10 | Maine | $33,164 | $15.94 |
| 11 | Colorado | $36,074 | $17.34 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $33,525 | $16.12 |
| 13 | Tennessee | $34,901 | $16.78 |
| 14 | Nevada | $35,252 | $16.95 |
| 15 | Kansas | $36,125 | $17.37 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $35,430 | $17.03 |
| 17 | Louisiana | $32,677 | $15.71 |
| 18 | Ohio | $33,995 | $16.34 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $32,243 | $15.50 |
| 20 | Montana | $32,042 | $15.40 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $34,921 | $16.79 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $31,537 | $15.16 |
| 23 | New York | $32,381 | $15.57 |
| 24 | Arizona | $30,931 | $14.87 |
| 25 | Idaho | $31,745 | $15.26 |
| 26 | Vermont | $33,644 | $16.18 |
| 27 | Texas | $32,407 | $15.58 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $30,331 | $14.58 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $32,363 | $15.56 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $32,513 | $15.63 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $29,555 | $14.21 |
| 32 | District of Columbia | $32,522 | $15.64 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $31,199 | $15.00 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $30,831 | $14.82 |
| 35 | Alabama | $30,852 | $14.83 |
| 36 | Missouri | $31,467 | $15.13 |
| 37 | Florida | $29,539 | $14.20 |
| 38 | Virginia | $31,466 | $15.13 |
| 39 | New Jersey | $30,031 | $14.44 |
| 40 | Michigan | $29,146 | $14.01 |
| 41 | Maryland | $29,470 | $14.17 |
| 42 | Rhode Island | $29,110 | $14.00 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $26,898 | $12.93 |
| 44 | Illinois | $28,870 | $13.88 |
| 45 | Delaware | $28,183 | $13.55 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $27,297 | $13.12 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $28,116 | $13.52 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $27,278 | $13.11 |
| 49 | Indiana | $27,448 | $13.20 |
| 50 | Georgia | $26,468 | $12.72 |
| 51 | North Carolina | $25,057 | $12.05 |
Highest paying cities for residential counselors
The highest-paying cities for residential counselors are Seattle, WA, Santa Barbara, CA, and Rochester, MN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $42,921 | $20.64 |
| 2 | Santa Barbara, CA | $39,618 | $19.05 |
| 3 | Rochester, MN | $37,615 | $18.08 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $36,839 | $17.71 |
| 5 | Lakewood, CO | $36,129 | $17.37 |
| 6 | Leominster, MA | $33,629 | $16.17 |
| 7 | Buffalo, NY | $33,439 | $16.08 |
| 8 | Concord, NH | $32,593 | $15.67 |
| 9 | Reading, PA | $30,382 | $14.61 |
| 10 | Paterson, NJ | $30,223 | $14.53 |
Residential Counselors are the most in-demand in these five cities:
Residential counselor salary details
A residential counselor's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $42,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a residential counselor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $34,117 | $2,843 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying residential counselor jobs
The highest paying types of residential counselors are intensive in-home counselor, crisis counselor, and school counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counselor Internship | $45,500 | $3,792 | $21.88 | 132,694 |
| Child Care Counselor | $36,843 | $3,070 | $17.71 | 100,538 |
| Day Camp Counselor | $29,384 | $2,449 | $14.13 | 32,895 |
| Direct Care Counselor | $33,422 | $2,785 | $16.07 | 123,519 |
| Program Counselor | $43,820 | $3,652 | $21.07 | 133,491 |
| School Counselor | $49,904 | $4,159 | $23.99 | 91,275 |
Top companies hiring residential counselors now:
Which companies pay residential counselors the most?
Residential counselor salaries at The Evergreens and Telecare are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average residential counselor salary at companies like Lifespan and Child and Family Services of NH are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Evergreens | $40,544 | $19.49 |
| 2 | Telecare | $40,352 | $19.40 |
| 3 | Lifespan | $40,230 | $19.34 |
| 4 | Child and Family Services of NH | $40,209 | $19.33 |
| 5 | Children's Home & Aid | $39,761 | $19.12 |
| 6 | Community Resources for Justice | $39,715 | $19.09 |
| 7 | Ramsey County | $39,618 | $19.05 |
| 8 | DESC | $39,556 | $19.02 |
| 9 | Astor Services | $39,389 | $18.94 |
| 10 | Washington State University | $39,271 | $18.88 |
| 11 | Mayo Clinic | $39,054 | $18.78 |
| 12 | Pine Street Inn | $38,969 | $18.74 |
| 13 | Melmark New England | $38,233 | $18.38 |
| 14 | City Of Alexandria | $38,203 | $18.37 |
| 15 | CFG Health Systems | $38,193 | $18.36 |
| 16 | Northeast Center for Youth and Families | $38,176 | $18.35 |
| 17 | Five Acres--the Boy's And Girl's Aid Society Of Los Angeles | $37,884 | $18.21 |
| 18 | The Home For Little Wanderers | $37,789 | $18.17 |
| 19 | St. Joseph's Health | $37,773 | $18.16 |
| 20 | Youth Villages | $37,620 | $18.09 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Residential Counselor salary by industry
The average residential counselor salary varies across industries:
- The average residential counselor salary in the education industry is $35,120, the highest of any industry.
- The average residential counselor salary in the finance industry is $35,056.
- Residential counselors in the health care industry earn an average salary of $32,889, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for residential counselors
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $35,120 | $16.88 |
| 2 | Non Profits | $35,056 | $16.85 |
| 3 | Professional | $34,874 | $16.77 |
| 4 | Government | $33,353 | $16.04 |
| 5 | Health Care | $32,889 | $15.81 |
High paying residential counselor jobs
Residential counselor salary trends
The average residential counselor salary has risen by $5,850 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average residential counselor earned $28,267 annually, but today, they earn $34,117 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for residential counselors over the last decade.
Compare residential counselor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average residential counselor salary over time
Compare residential counselor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Residential counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,100 | $16.40 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $33,100 | $15.91 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $32,300 | $15.53 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $31,500 | $15.15 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $30,900 | $14.86 | +2.2% |
Recently added residential counselor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerstone | Residential Counselor I-Harbor House | Nashville, TN | 06/30/2025 | $34,436 |
| DESC | Residential Counselor Supervisor-Day Shift | Estelle, LA | 06/30/2025 | $84,607 |
| DESC | Residential Counselor-Night Shift | Clement, MI | 06/30/2025 | $63,654 |
| North Suffolk Community Services, Inc. | Residential Support Counselor | Chelsea, MA | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Wellpower | Residential Counselor I/II-Pool Worker | Denver, CO | 06/29/2025 | $55,765 |
| DESC | Residential Counselor Supervisor-Day Shift | Seattle, WA | 06/28/2025 | $84,607 |
| State of Iowa | Residential Counselor-Activities Specialist 1 | Des Moines, IA | 06/27/2025 | $49,962 |
| Comprehensive Life Resources | Residential Counselor | Tacoma, WA | 06/27/2025 | $41,385 |
| Acendahealth | Residential Counselor | Downe, NJ | 06/27/2025 | $38,610 |
| CHR Career | Residential Counselor: Respite-3Rd Shift | Enfield, CT | 06/26/2025 | $35,479 |
Residential counselor salary FAQs
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