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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Residential Program Director in Illinois is $128,927 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.
However, a Residential Program Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Residential Program Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $145,037 | $12,086 | $2,789 | $70 |
| Average | $128,927 | $10,744 | $2,479 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $116,467 | $9,706 | $2,240 | $56 |
MooseHeart Child City & School - Mooseheart, IL
Empowered Staffing - Chicago, IL
Pillars Community Health - Western Springs, IL
Westside Justice Center - Chicago, IL
A Residential Program Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Residential Program Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Residential Program Director | $120,164 |
| Intermediate Level Residential Program Director | $121,273 |
| Senior Level Residential Program Director | $123,122 |
| Specialist Level Residential Program Director | $124,970 |
| Expert Level Residential Program Director | $128,216 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Residential Program Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Residential Program Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Residential Program Director positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Residential Program Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $154,713 | $74.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Residential Program Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $145,037 | $12,086 | $2,789 | $70 |
| Average | $128,927 | $10,744 | $2,479 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $116,467 | $9,706 | $2,240 | $56 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Residential Program Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Cass County Mental Health Association
Beardstown, IL
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Chicago, IL
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Sterling Engineering Inc.
Wheeling, IL
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Winnetka, IL
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