School Counselor Pay

Addison vs Bloomington: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Addison, IL and Bloomington, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Addison, IL
$57,066
$27.43/hr
Bloomington, IL
$51,825
$24.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAddison, ILBloomington, IL
Median Salary$57,066$51,825
Hourly Rate$27.43$24.91
Entry Level (P10)$40,837$43,324
25th Percentile$45,498$45,384
75th Percentile$72,702$65,126
Top Earner (P90)$88,453$77,687
Total Employed6290
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Addison ($57,066) and Bloomington ($51,825) school counselor salaries.AddisonBloomingtonMedian Salary$57,066$51,825Entry Level (P10)$40,837$43,324Top Earner (P90)$88,453$77,687US Median $64,335

Verdict

Addison, IL offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bloomington.

The salary gap between Addison and Bloomington is $5,241 (10.11%). Addison's median is -11.30% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Addison spans $47,616,Bloomington spans $34,363. Addison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Addison
P10 (Entry)$40,837
P25$45,498
Median$57,066
P75$72,702
P90 (Top)$88,453
Bloomington
P10 (Entry)$43,324
P25$45,384
Median$51,825
P75$65,126
P90 (Top)$77,687

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Addison ($58,770 effective) pays 6.07% more than Bloomington ($55,406 effective).

Addison
Nominal: $57,066
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $58,770
Bloomington
Nominal: $51,825
CoL Index: 93.537
Adjusted: $55,406

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Addison if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,066/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($88,453)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,770)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Bloomington if…

  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Addison grew -14.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.7% growth in Bloomington over the same period.

Addison, IL

+-14.3%

$65,274 (2024) → $55,920 (2025)

Bloomington, IL

+14.7%

$44,290 (2019) → $50,784 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Addison or Bloomington?

Addison has a higher median school counselor salary at $57,066/year, compared to Bloomington at $51,825/year — a difference of $5,241 (10.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Addison and Bloomington?

Addison school counselors earn $27.43/hr while Bloomington hygienists earn $24.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Addison to Bloomington as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Addison and Bloomington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Addison = $58,770, Bloomington = $55,406), job availability (6 vs 290 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Addison vs Bloomington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $40,837 in Addison and $43,324 in Bloomington. The Bloomington area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.

Content Lead

Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, M.A.Data verified by Linda Chen, LPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.05% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov