Credit Counselor salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Credit Counselors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $57,210 a year ($27.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 800 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,360 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $52,230. Pay here is 10% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $51,930. There are 0.18 credit counselors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for credit counselors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,420 | $19.43 |
| 25th percentile | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| Median | $57,210 | $27.51 |
| 75th percentile | $62,660 | $30.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,360 | $38.16 |
| Average (mean) | $58,750 | $28.25 |
Half of credit counselors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,767.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,383.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,200.38 |
| Weekly | $1,100.19 |
| Hourly | $27.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Credit Counselor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $51,160 | 170 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $49,550 | 230 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,390 | 50 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $48,180 | 430 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $47,980 | 40 |
| Evansville, IN | $47,430 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,480 | 30 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $46,050 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for credit counselors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $67,120 |
| Georgia | $64,080 |
| District of Columbia | $63,580 |
| Massachusetts | $63,240 |
| New York | $63,030 |
| Nebraska | $62,510 |
| Washington | $62,360 |
| Minnesota | $62,160 |
| Maryland | $60,450 |
| Oregon | $59,150 |
See Credit Counselor pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $101,750 | $48.92 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $113,210 | $54.43 |
| Loan Officer | $80,040 | $38.48 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Financial Examiner | $98,470 | $47.34 |
| Credit Analyst | $92,900 | $44.67 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Tax Preparer | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $93,590 | $45.00 |
| Budget Analyst | $88,460 | $42.53 |
| Management Analyst | $105,090 | $50.53 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a credit counselor make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for credit counselors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $57,210 a year, or $27.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid credit counselors make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of credit counselors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $79,360 a year. The top 25% earn $62,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for credit counselors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,420 a year, and a quarter of credit counselors earn $48,750 or less.
How many credit counselors work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 800 credit counselors are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.