School Counselor Salary in Algonquin, IL: $56,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Algonquin, IL earns a median $56,018/year (≈ $26.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Algonquin's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $57,691 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Algonquin, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $56,018, which is approximately 12.93% lower than the national median of $64,335. The salary for school counselors in this area spans from $38,121 at the 10th percentile to $86,828 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimated 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, reflecting how local economic conditions influence compensation levels. Algonquin's compensation aligns with the step-and-lane scale common to K-12 public schools, which takes into account years of service and educational attainment, such as master's degrees or higher qualifications.
About the Algonquin Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,121 | $18.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,798 | $22.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,018 | $26.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,703 | $34.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,828 | $41.75 |
Median Salary Position
12.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Algonquin
In Algonquin, IL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,707 (2026 est.). At $56,018, the local median is 12.93% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Algonquin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Algonquin School Counselor Pay Compares
Algonquin median: $56,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Algonquin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $57,751 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.93% less |
School Counselors in Algonquin, IL earn a median of $56,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.93% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $57,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Algonquin has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Algonquin, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,018 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,691 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,672
2025 BLS Actual
$54,893
2026 Current Est.
$56,018
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Algonquin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,672 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,594 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,633 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,318 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,657 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,075 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,893 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,167 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Algonquin metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,672 (2019) to $54,893 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,167 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,495 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Algonquin 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,121 – $46,798 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,798 – $56,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,018 – $71,703 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,703 – $86,828 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Algonquin
Examining the local job market, there are currently five school counselors employed in Algonquin, indicating a relatively stable demand for these professionals. Given the area's cost-of-living index of 97.1, which is below the national average, the purchasing power for school counselor salaries may not stretch as far as in more expensive regions. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive pay options, particularly for counselors with multiple qualifications or additional responsibilities such as extended school year contracts and club advisement roles. The pay disparity between the lower and higher ends of the salary spectrum is largely attributable to the intricacies of the step-and-lane salary structure and individual district policies. Counselors can strategically enhance their earning potential by pursuing further education, obtaining certifications, and seeking diverse roles that offer stipends or extended contract opportunities in addition to their base salaries.
More salary data for Algonquin, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $54,893 for school counselorsin the Algonquin metropolitan area. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Algonquin 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