Care and treatment facilities often have a residential counselor on site 24 hours a day. Thus counselors may work nights or evenings. Many residential counselors work part time. Counselors must always be prepared to handle an emergency. Depending on the residents, the emergency may range from severe homesickness to illness or a suicide attempt.
Wages vary with level of training and experience.
Entry level wages may be lower. Pay for residential counselors varies with the employer and the employees experience. Full-time counselors may receive benefits. Common benefits include health insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation. There were 3,720 people employed as residential counselors in Indiana in 1998.