Analysis: Chester Community Unit School District 139 administrators rank 246th lowest in state for average salary in 2024

Administrators in Chester Community Unit School District 139 earn an average of $98,647 per year, ranking 246th lowest in the state, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

The average salary in the district in 2024 was 15.3% higher than in 2023 and 14% more than in 2022. District administrators made 17.4% less 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).

Chester Community Unit School District 139 enrolled 940 students in the 2023-24 school year. This means there was an average of 188 students for every administrator, compared to the statewide ratio of 135 to 1.

Chester Community Unit School District 139 roughly covers schools within Randolph County and has a main office in Chester.

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.