School Counselor Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $31.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Chicago, IL runs $31.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,735 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,844 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, the school counselor hourly pay stands at $31.13, surpassing the national median of $30.93. This competitive rate offers part-time school counselors, typically working three days a week, a commendable source of income, especially in settings like elementary classroom guidance lessons and high school counseling offices. The hourly range for school counselors in this city varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $22.70 and top earners reaching up to $53.17, allowing for a broad spectrum of earning potential across different experience levels. Such data are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the importance of Chicago as a notable market for school counseling professionals.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.70 | $181.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.10 | $200.83 |
| Median (P50) | $31.13 | $249.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.76 | $326.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.17 | $425.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $31.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.13/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $64,741 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,350. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,245.01 | $5,395 | $64,741 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $747.01 | $3,237 | $38,844 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $498.00 | $2,158 | $25,896 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Chicago) | $31.13 |
| 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 Chicago, IL earn a median of $64,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.62% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 12.10% above the Illinois state average of $57,748.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.13/hr = $38,844/year (purchasing power: $37,496).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,741/year (purchasing power: $62,494).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Chicago grew 18.4% from $25.76/hr (2019) to $30.50/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.76/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 Chicago 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 Chicago
Considering a part-time schedule, a school counselor working 24 hours a week would take home about $47,951 annually, which presents a stark contrast to full-time counterparts earning nearly double. Furthermore, the per diem school counselor pay in Chicago varies widely; while substitute coverage is rare, private college counselors can command up to $400 per hour for specialized services, significantly elevating earning potential. Differences in hourly pay also manifest across employer types, including K-12 public districts, charter schools, and private institutions. While public schools often offer stability and benefits that come with lower hourly compensation, many counselors opt for positions that provide higher pay without benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rates in Chicago, it’s beneficial to emphasize skills in counseling and education as well as awareness of the increased mental health funding available post-COVID to improve their bargaining position.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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