School Counselor Hourly Pay in Des Plaines, IL: $26.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Des Plaines, IL runs $26.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,806 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Des Plaines's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,483 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Plaines, Illinois, the projected school counselor hourly pay stands at $26.83, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This pay reflects the various settings in which school counselors operate, such as elementary classrooms, middle school group counseling sessions, and high school individual counseling offices. For part-time counselors working three days a week, this hourly rate can provide a steady income, while per-diem workers might find themselves in high-demand situations, especially in crisis response or specialized counseling settings. The range of hourly pay spans from $18.94 for entry-level positions to $41.59 for top earners, demonstrating the potential for upward movement in salary as counselors gain experience and navigate unique challenges in the educational landscape.
About the Des Plaines 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) | $18.94 | $151.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.72 | $165.73 |
| Median (P50) | $26.83 | $214.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.34 | $274.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.59 | $332.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Plaines
Based on $26.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.83/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Plaines, IL can expect to earn approximately $55,804 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,195. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Plaines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Plaines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,073.16 | $4,650 | $55,804 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $643.89 | $2,790 | $33,483 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $429.26 | $1,860 | $22,322 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Des Plaines) | $26.83 |
| 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 Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $55,806 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.26% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $57,710.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.83/hr = $33,483/year (purchasing power: $34,483).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,804/year (purchasing power: $57,471).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Des Plaines grew 12.8% from $23.31/hr (2019) to $26.29/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.38/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 Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines
Considering the dynamics of part-time and per-diem counseling in Des Plaines, a school counselor working 24 hours a week could earn around $33,311 annually, which could be less than a full-time counselor's earnings, yet it provides flexibility. Per-diem pay rates can also vary immensely, with private college counselors in high cost-of-living markets charging between $150 and $400 per hour, making this a lucrative path for experienced professionals. In Des Plaines, the pay differs based on the type of educational institution—K-12 public schools tend to follow a structured salary schedule, influenced by the step-and-lane system typical in most districts. Some choose roles that offer lower hourly pay but include benefits such as health insurance over higher pay rates without added security. For counseling professionals, negotiating the right pay often hinges on clearly understanding their worth within the local job market while considering what benefits would balance their career aspirations.
More salary data for Des Plaines, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Des Plaines in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Des Plaines?
Are school counselors in Des Plaines paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Des Plaines?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Des Plaines?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Des Plaines. 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 Des Plaines 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