School Counselor Salary in Lombard, IL: $55,934 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Lombard, IL earns a median $55,934/year (≈ $26.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Lombard's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $57,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lombard, Illinois, school counselors can expect a median annual salary of $55,934 in 2026, indicating a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $64,335. The salary range for school counselors in this area spans from $38,160 at the 10th percentile to $86,698 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect regional cost of living factors. Given the local step-and-lane pay structure typically used in K-12 education settings, counselors with advanced qualifications such as a Master's plus 30 credit hours can potentially find themselves at a higher placement on the pay scale, aligning with their experience and educational attainment.
About the Lombard Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,624 | $22.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,934 | $26.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,595 | $34.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,698 | $41.68 |
Median Salary Position
13.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lombard
In Lombard, IL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,538 (2026 est.). At $55,934, the local median is 13.06% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lombard: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lombard School Counselor Pay Compares
Lombard median: $55,934/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lombard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $57,723 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -13.06% less |
School Counselors in Lombard, IL earn a median of $55,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.06% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.10% below the Illinois state average of $57,723.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lombard 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.
Lombard, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,934 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,605 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$48,599
2025 BLS Actual
$54,810
2026 Current Est.
$55,934
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Lombard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,599 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,519 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,555 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,578 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,978 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,934 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,080 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lombard metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,599 (2019) to $54,810 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,080 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,481 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lombard 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) | $38,160 – $46,624 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,624 – $55,934 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,934 – $71,595 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,595 – $86,698 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Lombard
In analyzing the market conditions for school counselor pay in Lombard IL, there are currently eight employed school counselors, a figure that reflects a modest but stable job environment. The local cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, suggesting that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which may enhance take-home purchasing power despite the lower salary range within the profession. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts, particularly those with extended contracts and summer programs, tend to offer more competitive pay. The variation in salary can be attributed to several factors, including the step-and-lane pay scale based on years of service and education level, as well as the demand for roles that extend beyond traditional counseling. For counselors aiming to maximize their salaries in this particular market, pursuing further qualifications, seeking roles with leadership responsibilities, and engaging in mentoring or specialized programs could prove beneficial for long-term financial growth.
More salary data for Lombard, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Lombard, IL in 2026?
Is Lombard, IL a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Lombard?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Lombard?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Lombard?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $54,810 for school counselorsin the Lombard 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 Lombard 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