Mental Health Counselor salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 57 certified H-1B filings in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Evanston, Dekalb, Naperville, Forest Park, Wheaton.
Also listed as: Therapist
Median salary$62,727
Middle 50%$57.8k–$83.2k
vs. national median−7%comparison median $67,250
Filings57FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years
Salary range
National median
$40k$50k$60k$70k$80k$90k$100k$110k
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $50,725 |
| 25th | $57,803 |
| 50th (median) | $62,727 |
| 75th | $83,200 |
| 90th | $96,700 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 7 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2022 | $49,161 | $41,600 | $62,759 | 24 |
| FY2023 | $52,000 | $46,567 | $66,000 | 15 |
| FY2024 | $62,302 | $51,960 | $74,201 | 32 |
| FY2025 | $67,022 | $54,250 | $78,304 | 31 |
| FY2026 | $59,500 | $57,803 | $83,637 | 26 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median Mental Health Counselor salary of $62,727 is worth about $60,600 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Pilsen-Little Village Community Mental Health Center | too few | 4 |
| Esperanza Health Centers | too few | 3 |
| Lotus Root Counseling PLLC | too few | 3 |
| Sinai Health System | too few | 3 |
| Aria Counseling PLLC | too few | 2 |
| Chicago Compass Counseling | too few | 2 |
| Heartland Alliance International | too few | 2 |
| Kellie Rinehart Rice LCPC | too few | 2 |
| LifeSpeed Behavioral Support Services | too few | 2 |
| Midwest Asian Health Association | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $51,363 | 12 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $59,500 | 24 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 3 |
| Expert · Level IV | $94,500 | 12 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $42,536 | $51,363 | 12 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $57,803 | $59,500 | 24 |
| Expert · Level IV | $75,400 | $94,500 | 12 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.