School Counselor Hourly Pay in Lake in the Hills, IL: $27.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Lake in the Hills, IL runs $27.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,457 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Lake in the Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,877 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake in the Hills, Illinois, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $27.15, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $30.93. This pay structure can impact those who work part-time, such as counselors operating on a 3-day workweek; they can expect to earn about $26,245 annually, giving them a modest income while serving in educational environments like elementary classrooms and high school counseling offices. For those considering per-diem work, the hourly range in this field spans from $18.91 for entry-level positions to $42.08 for top earners, reflecting the variation in responsibilities and experience. The figures for hourly pay in Lake in the Hills are derived from annual salary estimates, illustrating a significant transition for counselors transitioning between different employment types or considering flexible roles throughout K-12 education settings.
About the Lake in the Hills 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) | $18.91 | $151.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.28 | $170.22 |
| Median (P50) | $27.15 | $217.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.67 | $269.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.08 | $336.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake in the Hills
Based on $27.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.15/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake in the Hills, IL can expect to earn approximately $56,462 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,574. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake in the Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake in the Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,085.81 | $4,705 | $56,462 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $651.49 | $2,823 | $33,877 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $434.32 | $1,882 | $22,585 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Lake in the Hills) | $27.15 |
| 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 Lake in the Hills, IL earn a median of $56,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.25% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.20% below the Illinois state average of $57,727.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.15/hr = $33,877/year (purchasing power: $34,889).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,462/year (purchasing power: $58,149).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Lake in the Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Lake in the Hills grew 12.8% from $23.59/hr (2019) to $26.60/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.70/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 Lake in the Hills 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 Lake in the Hills
The potential for salary growth varies significantly for school counselors in Lake in the Hills, particularly for those choosing part-time or per-diem workloads versus full-time positions. For example, a counselor working 24 hours a week might take home around $26,245 annually, but full-time employment could translate to over $56,457. Moreover, per-diem opportunities can be lucrative; private college counselors in high-cost areas can charge between $150 and $400 per hour for direct-pay consulting, bringing substantial income beyond traditional settings. Counselors employed across various institutions, from public schools to charter and private educational environments, often encounter differing hourly rates. Many opt for lower pay to gain health benefits, which could be a wise choice considering the balance of job security and compensation. For counselors in Lake in the Hills, effective negotiation techniques can enhance hourly compensation, especially when discussing roles that may require specialized skills or additional certifications aligned with the growing demand for mental health support in post-COVID education initiatives.
More salary data for Lake in the Hills, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Lake in the Hills in 2026?
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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 Lake in the Hills. 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 Lake in the Hills 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