Personal Care & Service
Residential Advisors
Also called: Hall Coordinator, Residence Director, Residence Hall Director, Residence Life Coordinator
US median pay
$42,240
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.5%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
16,500
94,100 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments. Order supplies and determine need for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. May maintain household records and assign rooms. May assist residents with problem solving or refer them to counseling resources.
What they do day to day
- Communicate with other staff to resolve problems with individual students.
- Observe students to detect and report unusual behavior.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate residence hall staff, including resident assistants, participants in work-study programs, and other student workers.
- Provide emergency first aid and summon medical assistance when necessary.
- Make regular rounds to ensure that residents and areas are safe and secure.
- Mediate interpersonal problems between residents.
- Enforce rules and regulations to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of dormitory programs.
- Determine the need for facility maintenance and repair, and notify appropriate personnel.
- Collaborate with counselors to develop counseling programs that address the needs of individual students.
- Develop and coordinate educational programs for residents.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Coordination3.8/5
- Time Management3.6/5
- Service Orientation3.6/5
- Negotiation3.6/5
- Persuasion3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- Administration and Management4.2/5
- Public Safety and Security4.0/5
- Education and Training4.0/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Some college50%
- Bachelor's degree31%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.