Jason Helfer Chief Education Officer - Instruction | Twitter
Jason Helfer Chief Education Officer - Instruction | Twitter
The average salary in the district in 2023 was 14.3% lower than in 2022 and 9.1% less than in 2021. District administrators made 5.7% more than the state average of $116,908.
Administrator salaries depend on the district’s size, location, and resources, as well as the individual’s level of experience and education, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.
Union School District 81 enrolled 106 students at the time. This means there was an average of 43 students for every administrator, compared to the statewide ratio of 140 to 1.
Union School District 81 roughly covers schools within Will County and has a main office in Joliet.
District information was gathered from the Illinois Report Card.
The Illinois Educator Shortage Survey found over 4,000 unfilled teaching positions and 162 vacant administrator roles in the 2023-24 school year. Core subjects like English, literature, and math faced the most significant shortages.
The survey also shows that more than a third of school leaders reported difficulties filling administrator positions. Burnout, increased workload, and higher compensation offered by neighboring districts were cited as major factors contributing to staff turnover.
| State Rank | Year | Average salary | Student-to-administrator ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | 2023 | $123,600 | 43-to-1 |
| 51 | 2022 | $144,241 | 73-to-1 |
| 80 | 2021 | $135,981 | 70-to-1 |
| 82 | 2020 | $132,628 | 68-to-1 |
| 21 | 2019 | $151,609 | 83-to-1 |
| 98 | 2018 | $126,213 | 61-to-1 |
| 13 | 2017 | $154,500 | 104-to-1 |
| 13 | 2016 | $151,000 | 98-to-1 |
| 18 | 2015 | $143,500 | 99-to-1 |
| 27 | 2014 | $138,000 | 90-to-1 |
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