School Counselor Hourly Pay in Hoffman Estates, IL: $27.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Hoffman Estates, IL runs $27.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,512 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Hoffman Estates's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,501 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Hoffman Estates, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is $27.65, which falls below the national median of $30.93. This discrepancy highlights the local economic conditions and job market for education professionals. For those considering part-time roles or per-diem positions within the community, this rate translates to a considerable income depending on the weekly schedule. For instance, a school counselor working three days a week may engage in activities such as elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group counseling, high school individual sessions, and crisis team coordination. The hourly range varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at $18.62, while experienced professionals can earn up to $42.86, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in different educational settings.
About the Hoffman Estates 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) | $18.62 | $148.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.29 | $170.30 |
| Median (P50) | $27.65 | $221.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.34 | $282.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.86 | $342.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hoffman Estates
Based on $27.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.65/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hoffman Estates, IL can expect to earn approximately $57,502 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,174. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hoffman Estates.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hoffman Estates
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,105.81 | $4,792 | $57,502 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $663.49 | $2,875 | $34,501 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $442.33 | $1,917 | $23,001 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Hoffman Estates) | $27.65 |
| 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 Hoffman Estates, IL earn a median of $57,512 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.61% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.40% below the Illinois state average of $57,743.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.65/hr = $34,501/year (purchasing power: $35,532).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,502/year (purchasing power: $59,220).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Hoffman Estates (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Hoffman Estates grew 12.8% from $24.02/hr (2019) to $27.09/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.21/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 Hoffman Estates 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 Hoffman Estates
When examining the earning potential in Hoffman Estates, it's evident that part-time counselors working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $34,499 annually, a figure significantly lower than that of full-time counterparts. Per-diem roles, particularly in private college settings, often yield higher pay rates ranging from $150 to $400 per hour, especially for specialized services like college admissions consulting. School counselor hourly rates may vary across employer types, including K-12 public schools, private schools, and charter networks. Moreover, benefits may influence job choices; many counselors opt for lower hourly wages to secure health insurance and stability, while others may pursue higher hourly pay in private sectors without benefits. As local professionals navigate negotiations, understanding the market rates and emphasizing value, such as collaboration with local mental health initiatives, can greatly impact their attractiveness to prospective employers in Hoffman Estates.
More salary data for Hoffman Estates, 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 Hoffman Estates. 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 Hoffman Estates 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