2024: River Trails School District 26 administrators rank 122nd highest in state for average salary

Administrators in River Trails School District 26 earn an average of $136,792 per year, ranking 122nd highest in the state, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

The average salary in the district in 2024 was 6.4% higher than in 2023 and 7.5% more than in 2022. District administrators made 14.6% more than the state average of $119,384.

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.

In Illinois, school administrators are educational leaders who oversee the management and operations of schools and districts. This includes roles such as superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals, directors of special education, and chief school business officials. 

These positions require a Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsed in an administrative field, which involves meeting specific educational and experiential criteria set by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

River Trails School District 26 enrolled 1,484 students in the 2023-24 school year. This means there was an average of 131 students for every administrator, compared to the statewide ratio of 135 to 1.

River Trails School District 26 roughly covers schools within Cook County and has a main office in Mount Prospect.

District information was gathered from the Illinois Report Card.

The Illinois Educator Shortage Survey found more than 3,800 unfilled teaching positions in the 2024-25 school year, down 5.6% from the previous year. 

The survey also reported nearly 200 vacant administrator roles, a notable increase of 16.7%. Despite the rise, only about one-third of educational leaders said administrator shortages were a problem.