School Counselor Hourly Pay in Buffalo Grove, IL: $27.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Buffalo Grove, IL runs $27.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,672 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Buffalo Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,005 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buffalo Grove, Illinois, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $27.25, which reflects a notable difference when compared to the national hourly median of $30.93. This disparity can have practical implications for those working part-time or in per-diem roles within various educational settings, ranging from elementary guidance lessons to high school individual counseling offices. With an hourly range spanning from $20.58 for entry-level counselors to $42.23 for top earners, these figures indicate strong earning potential for experienced professionals. Since these hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, they provide potential part-time and per-diem workers an insight into what to expect based on experiences in both K-12 and higher education environments.
About the Buffalo Grove 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) | $20.58 | $164.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.54 | $180.34 |
| Median (P50) | $27.25 | $217.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.92 | $271.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.23 | $337.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo Grove
Based on $27.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.25/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo Grove, IL can expect to earn approximately $56,674 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,697. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,089.89 | $4,723 | $56,674 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $653.94 | $2,834 | $34,005 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.96 | $1,889 | $22,670 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Buffalo Grove) | $27.25 |
| 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 Buffalo Grove, IL earn a median of $56,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.91% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $57,711.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.25/hr = $34,005/year (purchasing power: $35,020).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,674/year (purchasing power: $58,367).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Buffalo Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Buffalo Grove grew 12.8% from $23.67/hr (2019) to $26.70/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.81/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 Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove
When considering the income aspects of part-time work, a school counselor who operates three days per week (approximately 24 hours) would earn considerably less than a full-time counterpart. Different roles in Buffalo Grove can see significant variations in hourly compensation based on employer type—K-12 public school districts, charter school networks, and private institutions often have different salary structures. This is particularly relevant given the rise of per-diem counseling roles; while some positions offer lower hourly rates, they may include benefits like health insurance. Conversely, per diem school counselor pay in Buffalo Grove may reach as high as $400/hr for private consulting roles. Counselors also have the opportunity to increase their earnings through extended school year positions, potentially adding $5,000 to $15,000 to their yearly totals. Negotiating effectively is vital, especially in a market characterized by varying hourly rates and associated benefits.
More salary data for Buffalo Grove, 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 Buffalo Grove. 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 Buffalo Grove 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