School Counselor Hourly Pay in DeKalb, IL: $26.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in DeKalb, IL runs $26.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,548 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against DeKalb's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,330 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In DeKalb, Illinois, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 sits at $26.71, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This discrepancy impacts part-time school counselors, particularly those working three days a week, as they earn around $25,946 annually for 24 hours of work each week, while full-time counterparts may see significantly higher earnings. Hourly rates in DeKalb range from $20.11 for entry-level positions to $41.39 for experienced counselors, reflecting the diverse responsibilities they hold in various settings. These professionals often engage in everything from guiding elementary school students to providing crisis management in high school settings, with their hourly compensation derived from annual salary data.
About the DeKalb 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) | $20.11 | $160.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.03 | $176.26 |
| Median (P50) | $26.71 | $213.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.17 | $265.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.39 | $331.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in DeKalb
Based on $26.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.71/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in DeKalb, IL can expect to earn approximately $55,549 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,048. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in DeKalb.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in DeKalb
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,068.26 | $4,629 | $55,549 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $640.96 | $2,777 | $33,330 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $427.30 | $1,852 | $22,220 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (DeKalb) | $26.71 |
| 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 DeKalb, IL earn a median of $55,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.66% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $57,742.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.71/hr = $33,330/year (purchasing power: $34,325).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,549/year (purchasing power: $57,209).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in DeKalb grew 12.8% from $23.20/hr (2019) to $26.17/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.25/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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb
For part-time counselors, the earning potential can vary significantly when considering different employment arrangements. A typical three-day work schedule yields an income that can barely compare to full-time roles, especially in the context of the current K-12 step-and-lane pay structures. The emergence of per diem school counselor pay in DeKalb further complicates this, with private colleges often paying $150 to $400 per hour for consulting services. This highlights a potential disparity where school counselors in public settings might earn less while having steady employment benefits, which are essential for many. Additionally, opportunities for extended school year positions could add up to $5,000 to $15,000 to a base salary. Understanding the variety of roles available—from public school districts to private and charter schools—allows counselors to negotiate compensation more effectively, balancing hourly pay against benefits and job security.
More salary data for DeKalb, 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 DeKalb. 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 DeKalb 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