Specialized Education Services logo
Specialized Education Services
Arlington Heights, Illinois

Music Therapist

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$30k–$34k

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Company Overview

Shine on as a music therapist.

In special education and alternative education settings nationwide, the team members of Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) shine a positive light on students who need academic, emotional, social, and behavioral support and uncover the unique learner within. Have a profound impact, grow, learn, and thrive as part of our team.

Overview

The music therapist in this position will provide individual, dyad, and group music therapy, while participating in interdisciplinary treatment planning by developing a music therapy treatment plan and collaborating with students’ treatment teams. Group/individual supervision, clinical observation, professional development, and responsibilities held in conjunction with special events and agency-wide processes are integrated within the position.

Responsibilities

  • Observes, assesses, and places students in appropriate delivery of service
  • Provides individual, dyad, and group music therapy
  • Develops expressive therapy treatment plans
  • Documents in students’ files according to requirements of regulatory agencies
  • Collaborates with treatment team as necessary via email, meetings, consultation

Participates in Interdisciplinary Treatment Planning

  • Provides in-service training to team members as appropriate, and in conjunction with expressive therapy team and/or clinical teams
  • Actively participates in supervision for the music therapist
  • Maintains licensure according to state and federal regulations

Qualifications

Training

Candidates will have a baseline of bachelors in Music Therapy from AMTA approved program with additional Master’s degree from AMTA approved program preferred (Master of Music Therapy (MMT) and/or Master of Arts in Music Therapy (M.A.))

Licensing

Candidates with proof of scheduled exam will receive consideration but board-certified music therapists (MT-BC) will receive preference

Proof of application for licensed professional music therapy licensure (LPMT) in Illinois within 1-week of hire

  • Strong clinical musicianship, strengths-based theoretical framework
  • Communicates effectively with other professionals/students/families
  • Strong clinical musicianship and strengths-based theoretical framework
  • Ability to work independently at multiple sites within the agency
  • Ability to communicate effectively with professionals/students/families

Posted Salary Range

USD $30,000.00 - USD $33,750.00 /Yr.

Physical Requirements

Ability to run short distances and move swiftly in response to student needs, including bending, kneeling, and crouching.

Ability to lift and assist students with mobility challenges, often requiring the handling of up to 50 pounds or more.

Skill in managing fine motor tasks, such as helping students with writing, manipulating small objects, or using adaptive devices.

Ability to operate a computer or tablet for up to 8 hours daily.

Capacity to notice and respond to non-verbal cues from students

Capacity to remain calm and composed during physically and emotional demanding situations, ensuring student safety and well-being

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Certifications

Board Certification

Key Skills

AssessmentInterdisciplinary collaborationDocumentationCommunicationEmotional supportSocial supportRegulatory complianceCrisis management

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 28% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 4.1% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$32k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $32k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

37 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution37 jobs · 30 employers

11
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$70k-85k
8
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6
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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks31 jobs · 30 employers

401k / retirement match
84%
CME allowance
39%
Sign-on bonus
35%
Loan repayment
19%
PSLF eligible
19%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.2this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,911 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Arlington Heights

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$475k≈ 15.8× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,985/mo≈ 79% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
28 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Specialized Education Services logo

About Specialized Education Services

Education Administration Programs
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
201-500 employees