School Counselor Pay

Chicago vs Glenview: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Chicago, IL
$64,735
$31.13/hr
Glenview, IL
$55,476
$26.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILGlenview, IL
Median Salary$64,735$55,476
Hourly Rate$31.13$26.68
Entry Level (P10)$47,204$41,676
25th Percentile$52,205$45,691
75th Percentile$84,768$68,814
Top Earner (P90)$110,590$85,988
Total Employed9,79012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($64,735) and Glenview ($55,476) school counselor salaries.ChicagoGlenviewMedian Salary$64,735$55,476Entry Level (P10)$47,204$41,676Top Earner (P90)$110,590$85,988US Median $64,335

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Glenview.

The salary gap between Chicago and Glenview is $9,259 (16.69%). Chicago's median is +0.62% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $63,386,Glenview spans $44,312. Chicago has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$47,204
P25$52,205
Median$64,735
P75$84,768
P90 (Top)$110,590
Glenview
P10 (Entry)$41,676
P25$45,691
Median$55,476
P75$68,814
P90 (Top)$85,988

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($62,489 effective) pays 9.37% more than Glenview ($57,133 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $64,735
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $62,489
Glenview
Nominal: $55,476
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $57,133

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,735/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,590)
  • Larger job market (9,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,489)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Glenview if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Chicago grew 18.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -14.3% growth in Glenview over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+18.4%

$53,580 (2019) → $63,435 (2025)

Glenview, IL

+-14.3%

$63,455 (2024) → $54,362 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Chicago or Glenview?

Chicago has a higher median school counselor salary at $64,735/year, compared to Glenview at $55,476/year — a difference of $9,259 (16.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Glenview?

Chicago school counselors earn $31.13/hr while Glenview hygienists earn $26.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Glenview as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Glenview. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $62,489, Glenview = $57,133), job availability (9,790 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Chicago vs Glenview?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $47,204 in Chicago and $41,676 in Glenview. The Chicago 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