As of July 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Entry Level Counselor in Illinois is $51,603, equivalent to $25 per hour, $992 weekly, or $4,300 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Entry Level Counselor in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Entry Level Counselor in Illinois vary widely, spanning from $42,859 to $62,290. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($47,026) and 75th percentile ($57,197), while top earners (90th percentile) make $62,290 per year. This $10,171 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or Child Development, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Illinois Entry Level Counselor often earn 1.9% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 33 companies. However, Illinois currently ranks 14 nationwide for Entry Level Counselor job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit to offset market challenges.
