School Counselor Hourly Pay in Carol Stream, IL: $26.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Carol Stream, IL runs $26.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,969 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Carol Stream's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,584 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carol Stream, Illinois, the projected school counselor hourly pay stands at $26.91, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $30.93 per hour. For those considering part-time work, such as a counselor working three days a week, this hourly rate can translate to an annual take-home that might not fully support living expenses. Per-diem positions often provide flexibility in various educational settings, from elementary classroom guidance to high school individual counseling; however, they typically command varying hourly rates based on the position’s demands and the institution's budget. The hourly rate range is quite broad, starting from $18.39 for entry-level roles to $41.71 for highly experienced counselors, highlighting the potential earnings variation depending on experience and responsibilities in the local market.
About the Carol Stream 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) | $18.39 | $147.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.45 | $179.61 |
| Median (P50) | $26.91 | $215.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.44 | $275.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.71 | $333.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carol Stream
Based on $26.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.91/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carol Stream, IL can expect to earn approximately $55,974 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,293. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carol Stream.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carol Stream
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,076.42 | $4,665 | $55,974 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $645.85 | $2,799 | $33,584 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.57 | $1,866 | $22,390 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Carol Stream) | $26.91 |
| 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 Carol Stream, IL earn a median of $55,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.00% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $57,700.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.91/hr = $33,584/year (purchasing power: $34,587).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,974/year (purchasing power: $57,646).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Carol Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Carol Stream grew 12.8% from $23.38/hr (2019) to $26.37/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.46/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 Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream
Part-time counselors working around 24 hours per week may find their annual earnings somewhat limited compared to full-time employees, who generally benefit from the comprehensive step-and-lane pay structure adopted by K-12 schools in Illinois. For those exploring per-diem opportunities, such as private college counselors, the hourly pay can be significantly higher, often ranging from $150 to $400 in high-cost markets. In Carol Stream, hourly wages also vary depending on the employer type, whether in public school districts, private institutions, or specialized educational programs. While accepting lower hourly pay can lead to benefits like health insurance, some counselors may prefer higher pay without benefits for freelance or per-diem positions. For those negotiating their hourly rates, understanding local market conditions, such as mental health funding expansions and the significant gap between national and local counselor-to-student ratios, can empower them to secure rates that reflect their expertise and the value they bring to their students' well-being.
More salary data for Carol Stream, 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 Carol Stream. 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 Carol Stream 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