School Counselor Hourly Pay in Wheaton, IL: $27.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Wheaton, IL runs $27.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,735 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Wheaton's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,043 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheaton, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for school counselors in 2026 is $27.28, significantly trailing the national median of $30.93. This difference suggests that school counselors in Wheaton may face financial limitations, especially when considering part-time options or per-diem work. For instance, part-time school counselors working about three days a week may bring home an annual income that reflects their reduced hours compared to full-time roles within elementary, middle, or high school settings, where they might engage in various responsibilities from classroom guidance lessons to crisis response team coordination. Entry-level positions generally start around $19.96 per hour, whereas more experienced counselors can command up to $42.28 per hour, pointing to a diverse range of compensation across the profession.
About the Wheaton 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) | $19.96 | $159.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.20 | $177.57 |
| Median (P50) | $27.28 | $218.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.91 | $279.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.28 | $338.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheaton
Based on $27.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.28/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheaton, IL can expect to earn approximately $56,738 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,734. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheaton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheaton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,091.12 | $4,728 | $56,738 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $654.67 | $2,837 | $34,043 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $436.45 | $1,891 | $22,695 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Wheaton) | $27.28 |
| 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 Wheaton, IL earn a median of $56,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.81% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $57,716.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.28/hr = $34,043/year (purchasing power: $35,060).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,738/year (purchasing power: $58,433).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Wheaton grew 12.8% from $23.70/hr (2019) to $26.73/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.84/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 Wheaton 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 Wheaton
Evaluating the practical earning potential reveals distinct differences in how school counselors might structure their careers. For those working part-time three days a week at 24 hours, their annual income would differ markedly from a full-time school counselor's salary, reflecting a trade-off between personal time and financial stability. Additionally, per diem school counselors in Wheaton could realistically charge much higher rates for private consulting or summer programs, with fees ranging from $150 to $400 per hour, which is a stark contrast to K-12 settings. School counselors employed in public districts typically follow a step-and-lane pay structure, influenced by tenure and qualifications, while roles in private and charter schools may offer different compensation dynamics. Consequently, counselors often weigh the benefits of consistent health insurance and job security against the appeal of higher hourly earnings without benefits. To negotiate effectively, hourly employees in Wheaton should consider their unique contributions and the current demand for counselors, especially with increased hiring due to post-COVID mental health initiatives, in order to secure a more favorable wage.
More salary data for Wheaton, 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 Wheaton. 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 Wheaton 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