School Counselor Hourly Pay in Arlington Heights, IL: $27.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Arlington Heights, IL runs $27.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,808 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Arlington Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,081 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington Heights, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for school counselors is $27.31, which falls below the national average of $30.93. This hourly rate is significant for part-time school counselors working in various educational settings, such as elementary schools for classroom guidance lessons, middle schools for small group counseling, and high schools for personalized support in counseling offices. Opportunities for per-diem positions also exist, though they often come with unique challenges and variability in pay. With an hourly range between $20.04 at the entry level and $42.33 for seasoned professionals, school counselors in Arlington Heights have potential earnings that cater to both those starting their careers and more experienced practitioners. It is worth acknowledging that these hourly rates are estimated based on annual salary data, reflecting the financial landscape for this profession in the area.
About the Arlington Heights 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) | $20.04 | $160.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.26 | $178.06 |
| Median (P50) | $27.31 | $218.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.96 | $279.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.33 | $338.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arlington Heights
Based on $27.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.31/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arlington Heights, IL can expect to earn approximately $56,802 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,770. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Arlington Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arlington Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,092.34 | $4,733 | $56,802 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $655.41 | $2,840 | $34,081 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $436.94 | $1,893 | $22,721 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Arlington Heights) | $27.31 |
| 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 Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $56,808 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.70% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $57,732.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.31/hr = $34,081/year (purchasing power: $35,099).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,802/year (purchasing power: $58,498).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Arlington Heights grew 12.8% from $23.73/hr (2019) to $26.76/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.87/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 Arlington Heights 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 Arlington Heights
Part-time school counselors working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, can expect to take home around $33,903 annually, which is a significant adjustment from full-time peers who average more substantial revenues. The reality is shaped by the often scarce availability of substitute coverage for school counselors, meaning per-diem opportunities can be quite distinct, with private college counselors in high-cost areas earning between $150 to $400 per hour for consulting services. Additionally, summer counseling roles may provide supplemental income in the range of $5,000 to $15,000, enhancing the overall salary package. Employers in Arlington Heights include K-12 public school districts, charter schools, private institutions, and post-secondary counseling roles, each influencing the hourly compensation structure. Counselors may choose lower hourly rates for the benefits, such as health insurance, which presents a significant trade-off compared to higher hourly wages with limited perks. Effective negotiation is essential; aspiring or current counselors should clarify compensation structures, potential for benefits, and understand the local market dynamics to ensure they are compensated fairly according to their expertise and experience.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, 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 Arlington Heights. 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 Arlington Heights 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