Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Elkhart, IN: $31.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Elkhart, IN runs $31.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,313 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Elkhart's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,187 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Elkhart, Indiana, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $31.40, slightly below the national median of $31.45. This paycheck reflects the financial reality for athletic trainers working in various environments, including high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional sports team training rooms. Those in part-time positions, such as working three days a week, can expect to see their hourly earnings translate into a manageable income, allowing them to balance work and personal commitments effectively. The hourly range for athletic trainers in the area spans from $25.32 at entry-level positions to $45.11 for the most experienced practitioners, cementing Elkhart as a competitive market for athletic trainer hourly pay.
About the Elkhart Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.32 | $202.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.29 | $226.34 |
| Median (P50) | $31.40 | $251.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.94 | $303.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.11 | $360.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elkhart
Based on $31.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.40/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elkhart, IN can expect to earn approximately $65,311 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,679. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elkhart.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elkhart
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,255.98 | $5,443 | $65,311 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $753.59 | $3,266 | $39,187 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.39 | $2,177 | $26,124 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Elkhart) | $31.40 |
| 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 Elkhart, IN earn a median of $65,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.16% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.50% below the Indiana state average of $66,308.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.40/hr = $39,187/year (purchasing power: $42,921).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,311/year (purchasing power: $71,534).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Elkhart (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Elkhart grew 29.1% from $23.25/hr (2019) to $30.01/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.85/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 Elkhart 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 Elkhart
Looking more closely at the earning potential for athletic trainers, those who work part-time, say 24 hours a week, would take home around $39,187 annually, significantly less than that of full-time professionals. Per diem athletic trainer pay in Elkhart can be quite lucrative, with event coverage typically offering between $200-$500 per game, while industrial contracts can yield $50-$80 an hour in facilities like Toyota or FedEx. It's common for trainers at secondary schools to receive lower hourly rates compared to their collegiate or professional counterparts, balancing that with benefits like health insurance. For job seekers, negotiating hourly pay can be strategic; showing familiarity with industry standards and engaging in salary discussions before accepting an offer can lead to better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Elkhart, IN:
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
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 Elkhart. 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 Elkhart 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