School Counselor Salary in Rockford, IL: $62,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Rockford, IL earns a median $62,616/year (≈ $30.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $67,947 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Rockford, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $62,616, slightly below the national median of $64,335. With salaries ranging from $34,803 at the lower end to as high as $94,229 for the top earners, this reflects the ongoing commitment to mental health funding and increased hiring in schools post-COVID. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, emphasizing a growing recognition of the vital role counselors play in educational institutions. As Rockford continues to adjust to the evolving needs of students, the local market is gravitating towards competitive salaries to attract and retain skilled professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,803 | $16.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,825 | $22.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,616 | $30.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,968 | $39.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,229 | $45.30 |
Median Salary Position
2.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,426 (2026 est.). At $62,616, the local median is 2.67% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockford School Counselor Pay Compares
Rockford median: $62,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $57,710 | +8.50% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -2.67% less |
School Counselors in Rockford, IL earn a median of $62,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.67% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.50% above the Illinois state average of $57,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $62,616 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,947 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,500
2025 BLS Actual
$61,358
2026 Current Est.
$62,616
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,358 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,899 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 16.9% from $52,500 (2019) to $61,358 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,899 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,399 (21.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $34,803 – $46,825 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,825 – $62,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,616 – $81,968 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,968 – $94,229 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Rockford
Rockford has around 250 school counselors, a stable workforce amidst a competitive job market. The cost of living index at 92.154 suggests that salaries offer a decent purchasing power relative to expenses in the area. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically provide the highest salaries, driven by the established step-and-lane pay structure that values experience and education levels. The variation in pay is influenced by factors such as school-specific funding, high-cost-of-living district premiums, and additional roles like department heads or club advisors. Counselors might maximize their pay by pursuing advanced degrees or taking on summer programs, leveraging the increased demand for mental health support post-pandemic to negotiate better salaries. Understanding these dynamics can guide professionals as they navigate their pay options in Rockford, IL.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $61,358 for school counselorsin the Rockford 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