School Counselor Hourly Pay in Downers Grove, IL: $26.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Downers Grove, IL runs $26.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,073 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Downers Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,050 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Downers Grove, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $26.48, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This difference has implications for part-time practitioners, such as those working three days a week, who typically focus on elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group sessions, or high school individual counseling. Given the hourly range, which starts at $19.57 for entry-level positions and can reach up to $41.04 for more experienced counselors, there are opportunities for various configurations of work. Those considering per-diem roles often find themselves in crisis response teams or college counseling settings, where hours can vary significantly, depending on demand and funding within school districts.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.57 | $156.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.57 | $172.59 |
| Median (P50) | $26.48 | $211.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.89 | $271.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.04 | $328.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Downers Grove
Based on $26.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.48/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Downers Grove, IL can expect to earn approximately $55,083 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,778. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Downers Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Downers Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,059.28 | $4,590 | $55,083 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $635.57 | $2,754 | $33,050 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $423.71 | $1,836 | $22,033 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Downers Grove) | $26.48 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.69 |
| Social Worker (National Avg) | $29.33 |
| Elementary School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.79 |
| Instructional Coordinator (National Avg) | $36.21 |
School Counselors in Downers Grove, IL earn a median of $55,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.40% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $57,729.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.48/hr = $33,050/year (purchasing power: $34,037).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,083/year (purchasing power: $56,728).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Downers Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Downers Grove grew 12.8% from $23.01/hr (2019) to $25.95/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.02/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem school counselors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downers Grove 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.
Working as an Hourly School Counselor in Downers Grove
For part-time school counselors in Downers Grove working 24 hours a week, the annual income might yield a steadier living compared to the full-time counterparts, who generally enjoy a higher total pay due to benefits. The rising trend of per diem school counselor pay in the area reflects a growing flexibility where agency counselors may charge upwards of $150-$400 per hour for specialized college admissions consulting. Furthermore, the environment across different employer types, such as public school districts versus private schools, influences compensation rates and job security. The willingness to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for employment benefits can also impact overall earnings, especially in K-12 settings governed by a structured pay scale and the mental health needs exacerbated by post-COVID conditions. Negotiating effectively, especially in settings like Downers Grove where some counselors may opt for higher pay without benefits, requires a clear understanding of both their market value and the community's hiring practices.
More salary data for Downers Grove, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for school counselors in Downers Grove. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Downers Grove 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