School Counselor Hourly Pay in Evanston, IL: $27.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Evanston, IL runs $27.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,402 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Evanston's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,438 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Evanston, Illinois is projected to be $27.59, which is notably below the national hourly median of $30.93. This discrepancy offers a unique perspective for part-time professionals or per-diem workers, who often find opportunities within various educational settings such as elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group counseling, or high school individual counseling offices. With an hourly range extending from $18.50 for entry-level positions to $42.78 for top earners, school counselors in Evanston can thrive in diverse roles, although entry-level salaries may be less than ideal. These hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the economic landscape for educational professionals in the area.
About the Evanston 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) | $18.50 | $148.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.19 | $169.48 |
| Median (P50) | $27.59 | $220.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.32 | $282.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.78 | $342.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Evanston
Based on $27.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.59/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Evanston, IL can expect to earn approximately $57,396 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,113. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Evanston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Evanston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,103.77 | $4,783 | $57,396 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $662.26 | $2,870 | $34,438 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $441.51 | $1,913 | $22,958 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Evanston) | $27.59 |
| 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 Evanston, IL earn a median of $57,402 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.78% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $57,749.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.59/hr = $34,438/year (purchasing power: $35,466).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,396/year (purchasing power: $59,110).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Evanston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Evanston grew 12.8% from $23.98/hr (2019) to $27.04/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.16/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 Evanston 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 Evanston
Analyzing the potential earnings of school counselors in Evanston reveals a notable difference between part-time and full-time roles. For instance, a school counselor working three days a week might anticipate an annual take-home pay that is significantly less than that of a full-time counterpart, depending on hours worked. Per diem counselors, especially those in high cost of living areas, can command rates ranging from $150 to $400 per hour for private college counseling, which starkly contrasts with the hourly pay structure in K-12 public schools. Moreover, salaries can vary widely depending on the employer type, whether in K-12 districts, charter schools, or post-secondary institutions. Some school counselors may choose positions with lower hourly rates that offer benefits such as health insurance, which can be critical in the current job market shaped by an increased focus on mental health resources in schools. Negotiation strategies specific to Evanston can significantly impact wages, especially given the growing post-COVID demand for school counseling services.
More salary data for Evanston, 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 Evanston. 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 Evanston 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