School Counselor Salary in Elmhurst, IL: $54,607 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Elmhurst, IL earns a median $54,607/year (≈ $26.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Elmhurst's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $56,238 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The substantial investment in mental health funding post-COVID has positively impacted hiring in schools across Elmhurst, Illinois, where the median annual school counselor salary is projected to reach $54,607 in 2026. This figure indicates a competitive landscape for local professionals, especially when considering the salary range from $39,625 at the 10th percentile to $84,641 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional costs, reflecting a growing demand for licensed counselors who can address the complex emotional and academic needs of students. With high school counselor-to-student ratios persisting in the area, many local districts are actively increasing their support staff to meet the recommended 1:250 ratio established by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
About the Elmhurst Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,625 | $19.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,942 | $21.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,607 | $26.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,784 | $33.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,641 | $40.70 |
Median Salary Position
15.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmhurst
In Elmhurst, IL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,016 (2026 est.). At $54,607, the local median is 15.12% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elmhurst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elmhurst School Counselor Pay Compares
Elmhurst median: $54,607/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmhurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $57,724 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -15.12% less |
School Counselors in Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $54,607 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.12% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $57,724.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmhurst 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.
Elmhurst, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $54,607 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,238 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,446
2025 BLS Actual
$53,510
2026 Current Est.
$54,607
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,446 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,344 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,333 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,025 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,331 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,461 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,607 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,726 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmhurst metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $47,446 (2019) to $53,510 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,726 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,280 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmhurst 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) | $39,625 – $43,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,942 – $54,607 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,607 – $68,784 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,784 – $84,641 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Elmhurst
In Elmhurst, the local job market employs nine school counselors, showcasing a burgeoning demand for these professionals despite a cost-of-living index of 97.1, which is lower than the national average. This situational dynamic means that while the school counselor pay in Elmhurst, IL, may trail the national figure, the purchasing power for counsel-oriented roles remains viable. Pay differences among local employers stem from various factors, including education levels and tenure, which influence step-and-lane salary schedules in K-12 settings. High-performing school districts, as well as specialized private institutions, tend to offer more competitive compensation packages, often incorporating stipends for extra roles such as department heads or club advisors. To enhance earning potential, counselors might pursue advanced degrees beyond the master's level or seek positions in districts with robust mental health initiatives, where funding has expanded in light of recent challenges in student wellbeing.
More salary data for Elmhurst, 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 $53,510 for school counselorsin the Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst 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