As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Residential Counselor in the US is $75,391, equivalent to $36 per hour, $1,450 weekly, or $6,283 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Residential Counselor in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Residential Counselor in the US vary widely, spanning from $57,036 to $80,798. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($65,783) and 75th percentile ($78,221), while top earners (90th percentile) make $80,798 per year. This $12,438 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or Medication Administration, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Residential Counselor often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 63 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Residential Counselor Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Residential Counselor Salary $57,036 US May 01, 2026
25th Percentile Residential Counselor Salary $65,783 US May 01, 2026
50th Percentile Residential Counselor Salary $75,391 US May 01, 2026
75th Percentile Residential Counselor Salary $78,221 US May 01, 2026
90th Percentile Residential Counselor Salary $80,798 US May 01, 2026
25% $65,783 10% $57,036 90% $80,798 75% $78,221 $75,391 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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SUD Residential Counselor

BHP of Central Ohio - Newark, OH

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What is a Residential Counselor ?

A mental health counselor (MHC), or counselor, is a person who works with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. They may help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging. This title excludes "Social Workers", "Psychiatrists", and "Psychologists"....

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/18/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

See user submitted job responsibilities for Residential Counselor.

Job Openings for Residential Counselor

Career Path for this job

  1. This Job:

    Residential Counselor

    5 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. Up a level:

    Assisted Living Senior Manager


    Bachelor's Degree

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Residential Counselor, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
65783
78221
75391

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
75988
95328
85737
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Residential Counselor in the United States. The base salary for Residential Counselor ranges from $65,783 to $78,221 with the average base salary of $75,391. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $75,988 to $95,328 with the average total cash compensation of $85,737.

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For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

65783
78221

 

Skills associated with Residential Counselor: Planning, Community, Resident

Jobs with a similar salary range to Residential Counselor : Resident Monitor, Life Enrichment Director