School Counselor Hourly Pay in Oswego, IL: $26.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Oswego, IL runs $26.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,593 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Oswego's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,355 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Oswego, Illinois, can expect a median hourly rate of $26.73, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This discrepancy can impact those seeking part-time positions or per-diem opportunities, such as providing guidance lessons in elementary schools, facilitating small group counseling in middle schools, or offering individual counseling in high school settings. With an hourly range from $20.05 at entry-level positions to $41.43 for experienced counselors at the top of the pay scale, many enter this field with the understanding that hourly compensation is a reflection of the annual salary structures common in K-12 education. This dynamic influences how counselors balance their workloads, with part-time counselors often earning less annually compared to their full-time peers, which is crucial in a market where the overall mental health support infrastructure continues to evolve.
About the Oswego 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) | $20.05 | $160.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.08 | $176.67 |
| Median (P50) | $26.73 | $213.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.21 | $273.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.43 | $331.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oswego
Based on $26.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.73/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oswego, IL can expect to earn approximately $55,592 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,072. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oswego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oswego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,069.08 | $4,633 | $55,592 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $641.45 | $2,780 | $33,355 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $427.63 | $1,853 | $22,237 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Oswego) | $26.73 |
| 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 Oswego, IL earn a median of $55,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.59% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.70% below the Illinois state average of $57,729.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.73/hr = $33,355/year (purchasing power: $34,351).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,592/year (purchasing power: $57,252).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Oswego grew 12.8% from $23.22/hr (2019) to $26.19/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.27/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 Oswego 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 Oswego
The earning potential for school counselors working part-time in Oswego can create significant differences in annual income. For instance, a counselor working three days a week, amounting to approximately 24 hours of service, would generate a substantially lower income compared to full-time professionals. Per-diem school counselors, especially in competitive environments such as college admissions consulting, can command rates from $150 to $400 per hour, diverging sharply from salaries within K-12 public school districts. Employment across various settings, including elementary, middle, and high schools, charter schools, private institutions, and even DoDEA schools overseas, presents varied hourly pay scales influenced by institutional budgets and benefits. Some counselors might opt for positions with lower hourly pay that include health insurance, recognizing the trade-off in economic stability. For those negotiating their hourly wage in Oswego, understanding local pay trends and leveraging experience can help secure better compensation while considering the broader impact of post-COVID funding on school mental health resources.
More salary data for Oswego, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Oswego in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Oswego?
Are school counselors in Oswego paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Oswego?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Oswego?
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 Oswego. 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 Oswego 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