School Counselor Salary in Kankakee, IL: $54,865 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Kankakee, IL earns a median $54,865/year (≈ $26.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Kankakee's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $56,917 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the context of post-COVID enhancements to mental health funding, school counselors in Kankakee, IL, have seen increased demand for their services, driven by a growing recognition of the need for mental health support in schools. As of 2026, the median annual salary for a school counselor in Kankakee is projected at $54,865, which represents a 14.72% lower figure compared to the national median of $64,335. This salary comes with a range from $38,333 at the 10th percentile to as high as $82,678 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a broad spectrum of earning potential within the profession. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates a robust trend in school counselor employment, aligning with increased district budgets aimed at enhancing student mental health services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,333 | $18.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,564 | $21.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,865 | $26.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,396 | $32.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,678 | $39.76 |
Median Salary Position
14.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kankakee
In Kankakee, IL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,345 (2026 est.). At $54,865, the local median is 14.72% below the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Kankakee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kankakee School Counselor Pay Compares
Kankakee median: $54,865/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kankakee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $57,753 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -14.72% less |
School Counselors in Kankakee, IL earn a median of $54,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.72% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.00% below the Illinois state average of $57,753.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kankakee has a cost of living 3.61% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kankakee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 96.394 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $54,865 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,917 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,010
2025 BLS Actual
$53,763
2026 Current Est.
$54,865
2019–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Kankakee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,763 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,865 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,990 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kankakee metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 34.4% from $40,010 (2019) to $53,763 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,990 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,980 (39.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kankakee 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) | $38,333 – $44,564 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,564 – $54,865 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,865 – $68,396 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,396 – $82,678 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Kankakee
The local job market supports roughly 100 school counselors in Kankakee, which hints at stable demand but also competitive salary dynamics. The cost of living index in Kankakee stands at 96.394, slightly below the national average, potentially impacting yield on take-home pay for counselors. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most favorable pay, reflecting their structured step-and-lane pay scale, which considers years of experience and levels of education. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to various factors such as additional responsibilities, stipend roles, and the qualifications of counselors, including those holding advanced degrees. For professionals seeking to maximize their school counselor pay in Kankakee, pursuing higher education credentials and engaging in summer or extracurricular program roles can be advantageous, ensuring alignment with the evolving educational landscape and the demands of modern school counseling.
More salary data for Kankakee, 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 $53,763 for school counselorsin the Kankakee 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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