Pay varies by the counselor's level of experience and training. Pay also varies by employer. Private agencies tend to pay more than not-for-profit agencies.
Residential counselors who work full time usually receive benefits. Social service agencies may not be able to pay well, but they sometimes make up for it with benefits. Benefits may include tuition assistance and generous vacation plans. They also may include health and dental insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation. Some employers also provide retirement plans.
Residential advisors (SOC 39-9041)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $17.71 | $19.64 | $23.14 |
| Yearly | $36,838 | $40,860 | $48,131 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $18.79 | $21.07 | $23.21 |
| Yearly | $39,089 | $43,831 | $48,269 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $18.87 | $21.55 | $22.94 |
| Yearly | $39,249 | $44,814 | $47,726 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $17.80 | $19.64 | $23.14 |
| Yearly | $37,036 | $40,862 | $48,131 | |
| Decatur Area | Hourly | $16.76 | $19.21 | $19.21 |
| Yearly | $34,863 | $39,964 | $39,964 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $18.41 | $21.21 | $23.14 |
| Yearly | $38,286 | $44,101 | $48,131 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $17.71 | $19.01 | $23.14 |
| Yearly | $36,845 | $39,534 | $48,131 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $16.70 | $17.92 | $23.26 |
| Yearly | $34,730 | $37,253 | $48,388 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $16.32 | $16.98 | $21.08 |
| Yearly | $33,957 | $35,310 | $43,849 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $14.99 | $22.29 | $23.50 |
| Yearly | $31,193 | $46,364 | $48,878 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $16.95 | $18.46 | $28.17 |
| Yearly | $35,252 | $38,407 | $58,601 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $18.13 | $19.93 | $24.40 |
| Yearly | $37,707 | $41,457 | $50,767 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $17.87 | $18.84 | $22.91 |
| Yearly | $37,171 | $39,195 | $47,657 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $16.02 | $16.98 | $22.85 |
| Yearly | $33,328 | $35,320 | $47,525 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $17.01 | $22.72 | $23.74 |
| Yearly | $35,371 | $47,251 | $49,380 | |
| Shawnee National Forest Area | Hourly | $17.42 | $18.47 | $19.32 |
| Yearly | $36,239 | $38,426 | $40,204 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $16.65 | $18.96 | $23.01 |
| Yearly | $34,634 | $39,440 | $47,863 | |
| Vermilion County | Hourly | $19.77 | $21.08 | $22.58 |
| Yearly | $41,109 | $43,849 | $46,985 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $17.85 | $20.93 | $23.14 |
| Yearly | $37,138 | $43,542 | $48,131 | |
| United States | Hourly | $16.29 | $18.84 | $22.88 |
| Yearly | $33,890 | $39,180 | $47,590 | |