School Counselor Hourly Pay in Springfield, IL: $27.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Springfield, IL runs $27.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,215 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Springfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,323 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Springfield, Illinois, the school counselor hourly pay stands at $27.50, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $30.93. For those considering part-time or per-diem work in school counseling, this rate translates into various employment opportunities within elementary guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling rooms. The hourly pay range in Springfield for school counselors varies significantly, starting at $18.20 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $46.51 for top earners. These figures are based on official BLS data and reflect the current market landscape, where school counselors play a vital role in supporting student mental health and development.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.20 | $145.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.95 | $183.61 |
| Median (P50) | $27.50 | $220.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.95 | $287.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.51 | $372.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Springfield
Based on $27.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.50/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Springfield, IL can expect to earn approximately $57,205 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,003. With a cost-of-living index of 92.75 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Springfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Springfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,100.10 | $4,767 | $57,205 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $660.06 | $2,860 | $34,323 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $440.04 | $1,907 | $22,882 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Springfield) | $27.50 |
| 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 Springfield, IL earn a median of $57,215 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.07% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.90% below the Illinois state average of $57,735.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.50/hr = $34,323/year (purchasing power: $37,008).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,205/year (purchasing power: $61,680).
CoL index: 92.745 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Springfield grew 11.8% from $24.11/hr (2019) to $26.95/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.07/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 Springfield 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 Springfield
Part-time school counselors working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, can anticipate an annual income of approximately $34,320, significantly lower than what full-time counselors earn. For those exploring per-diem opportunities, the reality is a different picture. Private college counselors in high-cost-of-living markets can command fees ranging from $150 to $400 per hour for consulting. School counselors may find additional income by taking on summer roles, which can contribute an additional $5,000 to $15,000 to their base pay. The variability in hourly rates can also be linked to the type of employer; K-12 public schools, charter networks, and private institutions all offer different compensation structures. Counselors often face the choice of accepting lower hourly rates for health benefits or pursuing higher pay without such coverage. Negotiating effectively can lead to better pay and conditions, especially in a city like Springfield where community funding and post-COVID recovery efforts are increasing school mental health hiring.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 Springfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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