School Counselor Salary in Galesburg, IL: $54,760 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Galesburg, IL earns a median $54,760/year (≈ $26.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Galesburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $56,395 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galesburg, Illinois, the salary for school counselors reflects the significant roles they play within the community, particularly against the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) recommendation of a 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio. The projected median annual salary of $54,760 indicates a competitive compensation package, especially when compared to the national median of $64,335. Counselors in the area can expect earnings that range from $39,982 at the P10 level to $84,878 at the P90 level, which showcases the breadth of compensation available. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, suggest a localized market that may impact attracting and retaining high-quality counselors in Galesburg.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,982 | $19.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,247 | $21.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,760 | $26.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,093 | $33.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,878 | $40.81 |
Median Salary Position
14.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galesburg
In Galesburg, IL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,896 (2026 est.). At $54,760, the local median is 14.88% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galesburg School Counselor Pay Compares
Galesburg median: $54,760/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $57,703 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -14.88% less |
School Counselors in Galesburg, IL earn a median of $54,760 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.88% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $57,703.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galesburg 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.
Galesburg, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $54,760 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,395 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,579
2025 BLS Actual
$53,660
2026 Current Est.
$54,760
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,579 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,474 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,165 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,475 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,760 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,883 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galesburg metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $47,579 (2019) to $53,660 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,883 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,304 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galesburg 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) | $39,982 – $44,247 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,247 – $54,760 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,760 – $70,093 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,093 – $84,878 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Galesburg
With only four school counselors currently employed in Galesburg, the job market shows both strength and opportunities for those entering the field. The cost of living index is slightly below the national average at 97.1, meaning that while salaries may be lower than the national median, the purchasing power may remain stable for residents. The highest-paying employers typically include larger K-12 public school districts where salary structures can depend on experience and advanced educational credentials. Factors such as the step-and-lane pay scale and potential stipends for additional roles can significantly influence earnings. For those looking to maximize their compensation in Galesburg, pursuing advanced degrees beyond a master's, seeking positions in districts with extended contracts, or engaging in summer programs can effectively increase overall pay.
More salary data for Galesburg, 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 $53,660 for school counselorsin the Galesburg 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 Galesburg 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