📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Mental Health Counselors Salary in Illinois (2026)

Illinois · 5.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$60,596
per year
Median
$56,396
per year
Hourly
$29.13
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$40,033
25th Percentile — Junior$51,022
50th Percentile — Median$56,396
75th Percentile — Senior$75,748
90th Percentile — Top Earners$84,853
💡 Top-earning Mental Health Counselorss in Illinois make up to $84,853 per year. The job market in Illinois is rated strong, with key industries including Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$49.8k
2021
$51.8k
2022
$53.9k
2023
$56.0k
2024
$58.3k
2025
$60.6k
2026
📈 Mental Health Counselors salaries in Illinois have followed the national trend with 4.0% annual growth. The strong demand in Illinois's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Mental Health Counselors Salary by City in Illinois
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Chicago $67,868 +12.0% High
Aurora $61,808 +2.0% High
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Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois is home to a strong job market for Mental Health Counselorss. The state's key industries — Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $60,596 per year, Illinois's Mental Health Counselors salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Illinois (index: 1.05) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Illinois can expect to earn $40,033–$51,022, while experienced Mental Health Counselorss can command $75,748–$84,853.

Looking ahead, the Mental Health Counselors profession in Illinois is projected to grow at 4.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Illinois is $60,596 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% above the national average of $57,710.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Mental Health Counselorss the highest wages in Illinois due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Illinois has a strong job market with major industries in Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Mental Health Counselors employment.
  • At $60,596/year, Illinois Mental Health Counselors salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average of $57,710/year.