School Counselor Hourly Pay in Bolingbrook, IL: $28.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Bolingbrook, IL runs $28.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,280 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Bolingbrook's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,973 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bolingbrook, Illinois, school counselors can expect a median hourly pay of $28.02, which is lower than the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate reflects not only the compensation for full-time positions but also affects part-time practitioners and per-diem professionals in the field. For those working three days a week, this translates into approximately $672 if they complete an average 24-hour week. The hourly pay varies significantly, ranging from $18.54 for entry-level positions to as much as $43.43 for highly experienced counselors overseeing specialized programs or engaging in crisis response. These figures highlight a compensation structure that follows the traditional step-and-lane pay scale found in many K-12 educational settings, ensuring that advancements in education and experience can positively influence hourly earnings.
About the Bolingbrook 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) | $18.54 | $148.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.09 | $184.75 |
| Median (P50) | $28.02 | $224.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.66 | $285.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.43 | $347.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bolingbrook
Based on $28.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.02/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bolingbrook, IL can expect to earn approximately $58,288 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,628. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bolingbrook.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bolingbrook
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,120.92 | $4,857 | $58,288 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $672.55 | $2,914 | $34,973 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $448.37 | $1,943 | $23,315 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Bolingbrook) | $28.02 |
| 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 Bolingbrook, IL earn a median of $58,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.41% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.00% above the Illinois state average of $57,703.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.02/hr = $34,973/year (purchasing power: $36,017).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,288/year (purchasing power: $60,029).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Bolingbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Bolingbrook grew 12.8% from $24.35/hr (2019) to $27.46/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.60/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 Bolingbrook 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 Bolingbrook
When exploring part-time opportunities, a school counselor working 24 hours a week would earn roughly $34,976 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts. For per-diem school counselors, particularly those providing coverage for traditional or charter schools, pay can differ substantially — private college counselors may charge $150-$400 per hour for specialty services, creating a stark contrast in earnings potential. In Bolingbrook, the differences in hourly pay can be influenced by the type of employer, with K-12 districts offering stability and benefits, while private entities may offer higher hourly pay at the cost of job security and benefits. School counselors must assess these factors carefully when negotiating their rates. Understanding the financial landscape, especially with the post-COVID expansion of mental health funding and growing demands for counseling services, is crucial for making informed career choices in the realm of school counseling in IL.
More salary data for Bolingbrook, 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 Bolingbrook. 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 Bolingbrook 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