Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $33.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Chicago, IL runs $33.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,826 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,302 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, athletic trainers receive a median hourly pay of $33.09, which exceeds the national hourly median of $31.45 by more than 5%. This favorable rate is indicative of the city’s diverse range of positions available in various settings such as high schools, college athletic departments, professional sports teams, industrial health clinics, military bases, and outpatient facilities. For athletic trainers working part-time, such as those employed three days a week, the compensation becomes a key factor in choosing their work environment. The hourly wage ranges from $25.29 for entry-level positions up to $45.17 for highly experienced professionals. This official BLS data provides a solid foundation for prospective trainers assessing their career choices in the competitive athletic training landscape of Chicago.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.29 | $202.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.04 | $224.33 |
| Median (P50) | $33.09 | $264.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.14 | $313.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.17 | $361.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $33.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.09/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $68,836 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,713. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,323.78 | $5,736 | $68,836 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $794.27 | $3,442 | $41,302 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $529.51 | $2,295 | $27,535 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Chicago) | $33.09 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Athletic Trainers in Chicago, IL earn a median of $68,826 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 8.40% above the Illinois state average of $63,492.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.09/hr = $41,302/year (purchasing power: $39,869).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,836/year (purchasing power: $66,448).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+68.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Chicago grew 53.8% from $20.57/hr (2019) to $31.63/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.63/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem athletic trainers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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.
Working as an Hourly Athletic Trainer in Chicago
Considering part-time opportunities, an athletic trainer working 24 hours weekly could bring in around $41,646 annually. This contrasts sharply with full-timers who benefit from regular hours and potentially higher total compensation. Per diem arrangements also show varied earning possibilities, often fetching between $200 and $500 for event coverage, while industrial athletic trainers can command between $50 and $80 per hour in settings like those of major employers such as Toyota or Boeing. Rates may fluctuate significantly depending on the employer: trainers in high schools typically earn less than those in NCAA or professional sports contexts. While some professionals may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others might prioritize flexibility, opting for higher pay without benefits. As athletic trainers navigate their choices in the Chicago market, practical negotiation skills, including understanding the value of their credentials from institutions like NATA and BOC, become essential for maximizing their hourly earning potential.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Chicago in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for athletic trainers in Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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