📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

School Counselor Salary in Illinois (2026)

Illinois · 5.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$67,022
per year
Median
$64,480
per year
Hourly
$32.22
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$43,926
25th Percentile — Junior$56,167
50th Percentile — Median$64,480
75th Percentile — Senior$83,709
90th Percentile — Top Earners$93,904
💡 Top-earning School Counselors in Illinois make up to $93,904 per year. The job market in Illinois is rated strong, with key industries including Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$55.6k
2021
$57.7k
2022
$59.9k
2023
$62.2k
2024
$64.6k
2025
$67.0k
2026
📈 School Counselor salaries in Illinois have followed the national trend with 3.8% annual growth. The strong demand in Illinois's job market supports continued salary increases.
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School Counselor Salary by City in Illinois
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Chicago $75,065 +12.0% High
Aurora $68,362 +2.0% High
🔍
School Counselor Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois is home to a strong job market for School Counselors. The state's key industries — Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $67,022 per year, Illinois's School Counselor 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 $43,926–$56,167, while experienced School Counselors can command $83,709–$93,904.

Looking ahead, the School Counselor profession in Illinois is projected to grow at 3.8% 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
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average School Counselor salary in Illinois is $67,022 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% above the national average of $63,830.
  • Major metro areas typically pay School Counselors 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 School Counselor employment.
  • At $67,022/year, Illinois School Counselor salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average of $63,830/year.