School Counselor Salary in Belleville, IL: $55,060 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Belleville, IL earns a median $55,060/year (≈ $26.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Belleville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $56,704 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Belleville, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 stands at $55,060, reflecting the city's response to expanding mental health needs post-COVID. With salaries ranging from $40,687 at the 10th percentile to $85,343 at the 90th percentile, the local compensation package is designed to attract talent in a competitive market. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the significant disparities present within the profession, emphasizing the importance of factors like experience and educational attainment in salary determinations. Amid an environment where mental health services are increasingly prioritized, Belleville's job market for school counselors appears promising, providing opportunities rooted in enhanced funding initiatives.
About the Belleville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,687 | $19.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,849 | $21.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,060 | $26.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,963 | $33.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,343 | $41.03 |
Median Salary Position
14.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Belleville
In Belleville, IL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,656 (2026 est.). At $55,060, the local median is 14.42% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Belleville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Belleville School Counselor Pay Compares
Belleville median: $55,060/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Belleville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $57,715 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -14.42% less |
School Counselors in Belleville, IL earn a median of $55,060 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.42% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $57,715.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Belleville 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.
Belleville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,060 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,704 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,840
2025 BLS Actual
$53,954
2026 Current Est.
$55,060
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Belleville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,746 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,757 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,979 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,954 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,060 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,189 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Belleville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $47,840 (2019) to $53,954 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,189 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,349 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belleville 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) | $40,687 – $44,849 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,849 – $55,060 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,060 – $69,963 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,963 – $85,343 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Belleville
The local job market employs approximately 10 school counselors, which contributes to a tightly knit professional community. Belleville's cost-of-living index, recorded at 97.1, indicates that living expenses are slightly below the national average, providing a somewhat favorable landscape for take-home earnings. Public school districts, particularly K-12 institutions, tend to offer the highest compensation, closely tied to the step-and-lane structure prevalent in many areas of Illinois. Variations in pay can largely be attributed to the local employment setting—districts that may provide additional roles or summer programs can boost income potential significantly. To maximize earnings, aspiring counselors should seek advanced certifications and pursue opportunities for leadership roles within schools, aligning with the structure through which school counselor pay in Belleville, IL, is calculated.
More salary data for Belleville, 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 $53,954 for school counselorsin the Belleville 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 Belleville 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