Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Normal, IL: $29.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Normal, IL runs $29.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,582 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Normal's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,954 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Normal, Illinois, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $29.61, which is slightly below the national median of $31.45. This rate can have a significant impact on those considering part-time or per-diem work in various athletic settings, including high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and outpatient clinics. For part-time athletic trainers working three days a week, this pay structure allows for an hourly range from $22.27 at entry-level positions to $41.60 for experienced professionals. Such flexibility is helpful in a field where many trainers balance different roles and employers, and the hourly figures derived from annual salary data provide a useful framework for understanding potential earnings in Normal.
About the Normal Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.27 | $178.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.47 | $203.74 |
| Median (P50) | $29.61 | $236.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.21 | $281.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.60 | $332.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Normal
Based on $29.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.61/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Normal, IL can expect to earn approximately $61,589 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,532. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Normal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Normal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,184.41 | $5,132 | $61,589 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $710.65 | $3,079 | $36,954 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.76 | $2,053 | $24,636 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Normal) | $29.61 |
| 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 Normal, IL earn a median of $61,582 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.86% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $63,487.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.61/hr = $36,954/year (purchasing power: $38,057).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,589/year (purchasing power: $63,429).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Normal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Normal grew 29.1% from $21.93/hr (2019) to $28.30/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.98/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 Normal 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 Normal
The earning potential for part-time athletic trainers greatly varies based on employment type and setting. For instance, a trainer working 24 hours weekly at this hourly rate could expect to take home around $36,000 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time counterparts who net significantly higher incomes. Per diem rates within Normal can vary substantially; coverage for a single event can pay between $200 and $500, while contracted roles in industrial settings may command between $50 and $80 per hour. Athletic trainers in sectors such as military or outpatient clinics often find themselves weighing the trade-off between higher hourly wages and the benefits that full-time positions provide. Negotiation remains essential, especially in a market like Normal, where understanding the payer landscape and articulating your value can lead to more favorable pay conditions for both hourly and per diem athletic trainer pay.
More salary data for Normal, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Normal 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 Normal. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Normal 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