How much does a counselor make in Chicago?
$49,320a year
Median yearly pay for counselors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $23.71 an hour or $4,110 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.71
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 58 of 100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $33,410Median: $49,320Highest 10%: $82,790
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,410 | $16.06 | |
| 25th | $34,090 | $16.39 | |
| Median | $49,320 | $23.71 | |
| 75th | $62,190 | $29.90 | |
| 90th | $82,790 | $39.80 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for counselors.
| St. Louis, MO | $48,290 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Social Worker | $71,740 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $71,430 |
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $67,610 |
| Child | $64,790 |
| Educational | $64,730 |
| Clergy | $61,820 |
| Substance Abuse | $61,600 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $61,360 |
| Health Education Specialist | $60,120 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $57,720 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a counselor make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $23.71 ($49,320 a year).
Do counselors make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $49,320 against $50,860 nationally, 3% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $49,360, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for counselor pay?
58 of 100 metro areas with data.
How much does a counselor make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $33,410 or less a year; the top 10% make $82,790 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.