Residential advisors are students who live in the residence halls of colleges, universities, secondary schools and other similar institutions. They’re trained peers who are tasked with supervising the residence hall by assisting the residents with their problems, reporting maintenance concerns or organizing community-building gatherings.

These workers are "our eyes and ears in the residence halls," says Michael Olin, associate dean of undergraduate students at Princeton University.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.0% employment growth for residential advisors between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 5,700 jobs should open up.

Median Salary
$35,720
Unemployment Rate8.1%Number Of Jobs5,700
Residential advisors are students who live in the residence halls of colleges, universities, secondary schools and other similar institutions. They’re trained peers who are tasked with supervising the residence hall by assisting the residents with their problems, reporting maintenance concerns or organizing community-building gatherings.

These workers are "our eyes and ears in the residence halls," says Michael Olin, associate dean of undergraduate students at Princeton University.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.0% employment growth for residential advisors between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 5,700 jobs should open up.

An interest in helping fellow and younger residents is required to become a residential advisor, and Olin notes that students should display a vested interest in the university. "We want them to be involved in some way in the college," Olin says.

You might demonstrate this interest or commitment by being involved in student groups, academic organizations, mentorship relationships and more in the college – and even previously in high school.

Once they are hired at Princeton, residential advisors will receive on-the-job training during the fall and spring semesters, as well as a handful of continuing education courses throughout the school year.