School Counselor Salary in Buffalo Grove, IL: $56,672 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Buffalo Grove, IL earns a median $56,672/year (≈ $27.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Buffalo Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $58,365 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buffalo Grove, Illinois, school counselor salaries are projected to reach a median annual figure of $56,672 in 2026. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, which take regional cost adjustments into account, indicating that school counselors here earn about 11.91% less than the national median of $64,335. The salary range is notable, with entry-level positions starting at $42,807 (P10) and more experienced counselors earning up to $87,843 (P90), demonstrating a significant pay structure that considers both experience and educational attainment. With a limited number of 7 school counselors currently employed in the area, competitive pay can be expected, especially considering Buffalo Grove's preference for candidates with advanced degrees.
About the Buffalo Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,807 | $20.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,891 | $22.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,672 | $27.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,550 | $33.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,843 | $42.23 |
Median Salary Position
11.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo Grove
In Buffalo Grove, IL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,036 (2026 est.). At $56,672, the local median is 11.91% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Grove School Counselor Pay Compares
Buffalo Grove median: $56,672/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $57,711 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -11.91% less |
School Counselors in Buffalo Grove, IL earn a median of $56,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.91% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $57,711.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo Grove 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.
Buffalo Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,672 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,365 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,241
2025 BLS Actual
$55,534
2026 Current Est.
$56,672
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Buffalo Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,241 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,173 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,236 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,917 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,272 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,823 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,534 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,672 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,834 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo Grove metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $49,241 (2019) to $55,534 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,834 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,593 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo Grove 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) | $42,807 – $46,891 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,891 – $56,672 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,672 – $70,550 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,550 – $87,843 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Buffalo Grove
Maintaining a cost-of-living index of 97.1, Buffalo Grove offers a relatively lower financial burden compared to national averages, implying that take-home salaries stretch further in this community. Public K-12 school districts are typically the largest employers for school counselors in the area, and those that adhere to step-and-lane pay scales, including compensation adjustments for advanced degrees, contribute to variations in pay levels. Such structures allow for significant differences depending on whether a counselor holds a master's degree, a master's plus 30 credits, or a doctorate. To maximize earnings, professionals should consider applying for positions that offer extended contracts or stipends for additional responsibilities, which can provide further financial benefits in a market that values both education and experience.
More salary data for Buffalo Grove, 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 $55,534 for school counselorsin the Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove 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