How much does a dorm advisor make?
a year · about $20 an hour
A typical dorm advisor in the United States makes $42,240 a year, about $20 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
By day, a dorm advisor checks in with residents, plans activities, helps settle roommate problems, and reports repairs. On duty, they walk the halls, watch for safety problems, and respond to calls or get help in an emergency.
Did you know? At some US colleges, dorm advisors may be on call overnight from their own rooms, ready to respond to noise complaints or emergencies.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $29,870 and $61,060How do you become one?
In the US, dorm advisors are usually college students who apply after their first year (often around age 19) and meet campus grade and conduct rules. They interview and complete college training before residents arrive; exact requirements differ by school.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like helping and teaching and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay differs by workplace and location: colleges, care facilities, and states show different pay patterns. Experience, senior responsibilities, and work hours may matter too; some campus jobs include room and meals as part of the reward.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Minnesota ($48,770), lowest in Alabama ($27,650).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $29,870 | $42,240 | $61,060 | about 85,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $48,770 | about 3,000 |
| Washington | $48,640 | about 2,000 |
| New York | $48,380 | about 6,000 |
| Massachusetts | $48,190 | about 5,000 |
| Oregon | $47,160 | about 840 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-9041.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes399041.htm
- sll.rpi.edu/RA
- www.ccsu.edu/sites/default/files/2026-04/FAQ%20for%20%20RA%20Position-%20Recruit
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY