School Counselor Hourly Pay in Algonquin, IL: $26.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Algonquin, IL runs $26.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,018 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Algonquin's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,610 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Algonquin, Illinois, the school counselor hourly pay is set at a median of $26.93, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This wage impacts part-time counselors who may work three days a week, translating to less than full-time earnings while still engaging in essential tasks like counseling sessions across elementary, middle, and high schools. These settings require a range of services from classroom guidance to crisis interventions, leading to different opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers within the profession. For those starting out, the hourly rate can be as low as $18.33, while more experienced counselors can earn up to $41.75 per hour, illustrating a wide pay gap that reflects experience and specific job responsibilities.
About the Algonquin Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.33 | $146.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.50 | $180.02 |
| Median (P50) | $26.93 | $215.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.47 | $275.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.75 | $333.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Algonquin
Based on $26.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.93/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Algonquin, IL can expect to earn approximately $56,016 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,317. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Algonquin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Algonquin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,077.24 | $4,668 | $56,016 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $646.34 | $2,801 | $33,610 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.90 | $1,867 | $22,407 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Algonquin) | $26.93 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.69 |
| Social Worker (National Avg) | $29.33 |
| Elementary School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.79 |
| Instructional Coordinator (National Avg) | $36.21 |
School Counselors in Algonquin, IL earn a median of $56,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.93% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $57,751.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.93/hr = $33,610/year (purchasing power: $34,614).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,016/year (purchasing power: $57,689).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Algonquin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Algonquin grew 12.8% from $23.40/hr (2019) to $26.39/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.48/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem school counselors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Algonquin metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly School Counselor in Algonquin
Analyzing the financial landscape further reveals that a school counselor working 24 hours a week would accumulate about $33,627 annually, significantly lower than full-time counterparts. Per-diem school counselors face a different reality, often charging fees considerably higher—between $150 and $400 per hour—in more affluent markets for specialized services, such as direct college admissions consulting. School counselors across various employers in Algonquin, including K-12 public districts, charter schools, and private institutions, might experience variations in pay based on their roles. While some counselors opt for lower hourly rates to secure benefits such as health insurance, others with a focus on flexibility may prioritize higher pay rates without the added benefits. Negotiating hourly rates effectively requires an understanding of these dynamics and a solid grasp of local needs within schools and counseling contexts in Algonquin, ensuring that compensation aligns with the important work counselors perform.
More salary data for Algonquin, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for school counselors in Algonquin. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Algonquin is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov