School Counselor Salary in Chicago, IL
School Counselors in Chicago, IL earn a median of $51,000/year, ranging from $39,270 (25th percentile) to $81,600 (90th percentile). After Illinois state taxes (4.95%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 107), this is equivalent to $47,664 in purchasing power vs the US average.
1Salary Distribution in Chicago, IL
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Chicago, IL Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL (current) | $51,000 | 107 | $47,664 |
| San Francisco, CA | $70,000 | 186 | $37,634 |
| New York, NY | $67,000 | 187 | $35,829 |
| Seattle, WA | $68,000 | 162 | $41,975 |
| Boston, MA | $62,000 | 162 | $38,272 |
| Austin, TX | $56,000 | 124 | $45,161 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average School Counselor salary in Chicago, IL?
The median School Counselor salary in Chicago, IL is $51,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $39,270 and the 90th percentile is $81,600.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a School Counselor?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $51,000 School Counselor salary in Chicago, IL is equivalent to $47,664 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107, meaning it is 7% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Illinois is approximately 4.95%.
What is the School Counselor salary range in Chicago, IL?
In Chicago, IL, School Counselors earn between $39,270 (25th percentile) and $81,600 (90th percentile), with a median of $51,000 per year.
How many School Counselor jobs are there in Chicago, IL?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 87,500 School Counselor positions in the Chicago, IL metropolitan area.
What do School Counselors earn in Chicago, IL?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, School Counselors in Chicago, IL earn a median annual wage of $51,000. The middle 50% earn between $39,270 and $65,280. The top 10% earn more than $81,600. There are approximately 87,500 School Counselors employed in the Chicago, IL metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3.1%.
Is Chicago, IL a good place for a School Counselor?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100), making it 7% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a School Counselor in Chicago, IL earning $51,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $47,664 relative to the US median. Illinois has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.95%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL's cost of living index is 107, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $51,000 in Chicago, ILhas the same purchasing power as $47,664 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Chicago, IL with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.