Residential Advisor salary in Iowa
Residential Advisors in Iowa earn a median of $36,850 a year ($17.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,780 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $42,240. Iowa ranks 40th of 51 states for residential advisors pay. There are 0.50 residential advisors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for residential advisors in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,090 | $14.95 |
| 25th percentile | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Median | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| 75th percentile | $44,170 | $21.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,780 | $23.93 |
| Average (mean) | $39,960 | $19.21 |
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 | $3,070.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,535.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,417.31 |
| Weekly | $708.65 |
| Hourly | $17.72 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $48,230 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $43,990 | 70 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,350 | 70 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $38,310 | 160 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $38,170 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $38,120 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $35,690 | 50 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $35,620 | 50 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,160 | $17.39 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,430 | $13.19 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,700 | $17.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| Gambling Dealer | $23,020 | $11.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Funeral Attendant | $40,060 | $19.26 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for residential advisors in Iowa is $36,850 a year, or $17.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid residential advisors make in Iowa?
The top 10% of residential advisors in Iowa earn at least $49,780 a year. The top 25% earn $44,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for residential advisors in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,090 a year, and a quarter of residential advisors earn $34,430 or less.
How many residential advisors work in Iowa?
About 780 residential advisors are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.