School Counselor Salary in Cicero, IL: $55,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Cicero, IL earns a median $55,875/year (≈ $26.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Cicero's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $57,544 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Cicero, Illinois, shows a median annual salary of $55,875 for school counselors, which is significantly lower than the national median of $64,335. The salary range for counselors in the area spans from $39,550 at the 10th percentile to as high as $86,607 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market for school counselor pay in Cicero, IL. This discrepancy is reflective of the high counselor-to-student ratios in local schools, which substantially exceed the ASCA-recommended benchmark of 1:250. Such disparities could signal a need for strategic adjustments in hiring practices and mental health support in Cicero's educational institutions.
About the Cicero Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,550 | $19.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,449 | $21.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,875 | $26.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,521 | $34.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,607 | $41.64 |
Median Salary Position
13.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cicero
In Cicero, IL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,057 (2026 est.). At $55,875, the local median is 13.15% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cicero: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cicero School Counselor Pay Compares
Cicero median: $55,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cicero Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $57,723 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -13.15% less |
School Counselors in Cicero, IL earn a median of $55,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.15% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.20% below the Illinois state average of $57,723.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cicero 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.
Cicero, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,875 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,544 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,548
2025 BLS Actual
$54,753
2026 Current Est.
$55,875
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Cicero (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,548 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,468 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,502 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,187 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,523 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,911 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,753 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,021 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cicero metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,548 (2019) to $54,753 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,021 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,473 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cicero 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) | $39,550 – $44,449 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,449 – $55,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,875 – $71,521 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,521 – $86,607 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Cicero
The local job market for school counselors is relatively stable, with 21 professionals employed in the region. The cost of living index sits at 97.1, indicating that Cicero’s expenses are below the national average, yielding slightly more purchasing power for school counselors. Among various employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, although pay can vary significantly based on factors like experience, advanced degrees, and additional administrative responsibilities. The pay structure often reflects a step-and-lane system, much like that of teaching positions, where years of service and educational qualifications influence salary levels. For counselors aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing higher qualifications, engaging in summer program opportunities, or taking on stipend roles can be effective strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for Cicero, 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 $54,753 for school counselorsin the Cicero 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 Cicero 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