Residential Advisor salary in California
Residential Advisors in California earn a median of $46,650 a year ($22.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,370 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $42,240. California ranks 10th of 51 states for residential advisors pay. There are 0.45 residential advisors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for residential advisors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| 25th percentile | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Median | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| 75th percentile | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,370 | $33.83 |
| Average (mean) | $50,350 | $24.21 |
Half of residential advisors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,887.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,943.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,794.23 |
| Weekly | $897.12 |
| Hourly | $22.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Residential Advisor salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $55,800 | 300 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $54,510 | 1,130 |
| Vallejo, CA | $51,170 | 100 |
| Salinas, CA | $49,580 | 30 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $47,150 | 60 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $47,110 | 140 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $46,840 | 360 |
| Modesto, CA | $46,590 | 50 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $46,440 | 50 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $46,270 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $46,140 | 290 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $45,340 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $45,240 | 3,570 |
| Merced, CA | $44,880 | 40 |
| Yuba City, CA | $44,750 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $43,930 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $43,810 | 780 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $43,540 | 190 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $43,260 | 100 |
| Visalia, CA | $42,920 | 50 |
| Chico, CA | $38,930 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for residential advisors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $49,010 |
| Minnesota | $48,770 |
| Washington | $48,640 |
| North Dakota | $48,590 |
| New York | $48,380 |
| Massachusetts | $48,190 |
| Montana | $47,230 |
| Oregon | $47,160 |
| Maryland | $46,950 |
| California | $46,650 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Recreation Worker | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $39,860 | $19.16 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Animal Caretaker | $38,700 | $18.60 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Gambling Dealer | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $56,110 | $26.98 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $46,000 | $22.11 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a residential advisor make in California?
The median salary for residential advisors in California is $46,650 a year, or $22.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid residential advisors make in California?
The top 10% of residential advisors in California earn at least $70,370 a year. The top 25% earn $57,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for residential advisors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,150 a year, and a quarter of residential advisors earn $39,040 or less.
How many residential advisors work in California?
About 8,120 residential advisors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.