Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Mount Pleasant, WI: $44,589 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Mount Pleasant, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $44,589 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mount Pleasant's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $47,740 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($59,177) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating as an athletic trainer in 2026 in Mount Pleasant, WI, presents promising prospects tempered by realistic expectations. Starting salaries, particularly for entry-level positions, will likely commence at about $44,589, which is approximately 25% below the city’s median athletic trainer salary of $59,177. However, there’s a clear growth trajectory for newcomers to the field, with salaries looking to rise to $54,393 after gaining some experience and eventually reaching the median within the first few years. This upward potential positions Mount Pleasant as a relatively favorable market for new graduates given the ongoing demand for athletic trainers, particularly as the industry continues to evolve following the 2022 transition to a master's degree requirement for entry-level positions.
About the Mount Pleasant Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mount Pleasant
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Pleasant
Entry-level athletic trainers in Mount Pleasant, WI typically start between $44,589 and $54,393 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $34,475 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $59,177 — 9.54% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 123.35% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($44,589/year) in Mount Pleasant. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAATE-accredited Master of Science in Athletic Training programs. Tuition varies between public in-state and private institutions; the BOC certification exam is required after graduation for practice.
AT, ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Mount Pleasant
- 1Research the Mount Pleasant market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $44,589 to $54,393, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the athletic training field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Mount Pleasant, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Mount Pleasant for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mount Pleasant's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Athletic Trainer Compensation Range
The athletic trainer wage spread in Mount Pleasant is $34,475 ( 77.32%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $44,589, experienced hygienists can earn up to $79,064.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,685
2025 BLS Actual
$42,616
2026 Current Est.
$44,589
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,685 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,171 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,692 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,089 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,193 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,931 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,616 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,589 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,654 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Mount Pleasant, WI grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,685 in 2019 to $42,616 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $46,654. New graduates entering the Mount Pleasant job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Pleasant metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your athletic training Career in Mount Pleasant
New athletic trainers entering the workforce in Mount Pleasant typically find opportunities in high school athletic programs, where positions are often outsourced to hospitals, and in industrial settings that actively seek to fill roles. These industrial jobs provide a lucrative alternative, frequently offering salaries that exceed those of traditional school-based roles by 30-50%. To optimize starting pay, new grads should focus on obtaining a master's degree from a CAATE-accredited program, passing the BOC national exam for the ATC credential, and securing state licensure. Furthermore, engaging in continuing education or obtaining specialty certifications can significantly enhance employment prospects and starting salaries. In those formative years, early-career athletic trainers in Mount Pleasant can expect realistic negotiation outcomes and strategic career advancements that reflect the field’s growth and their dedication to professional development.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in athletic training. She specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has worked at several high schools and collegiate athletic programs.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new athletic training graduates. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Mount Pleasant. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mount Pleasant is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for athletic trainers (SOC 29-9091).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov