Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $28.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in South Bend, IN runs $28.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,943 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,961 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In South Bend, Indiana, the athletic trainer hourly pay stands at a median of $28.82, which reflects a slight disadvantage compared to the national hourly median of $31.45. This hourly rate allows for various configurations of employment, making it particularly attractive for part-time and per-diem workers who may not wish to commit to full-time positions. In settings such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, or professional team environments, athletic trainers could expect an hourly range from $23.20 for entry-level positions to as high as $36.48 for those with significant experience or specialized skills. This data is officially derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.20 | $185.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.20 | $185.57 |
| Median (P50) | $28.82 | $230.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.04 | $264.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.48 | $291.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $28.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.82/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $59,935 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,578. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,152.60 | $4,995 | $59,935 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $691.56 | $2,997 | $35,961 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $461.04 | $1,998 | $23,974 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (South Bend) | $28.82 |
| 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 South Bend, IN earn a median of $59,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.37% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 9.60% below the Indiana state average of $66,308.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.82/hr = $35,961/year (purchasing power: $38,727).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,935/year (purchasing power: $64,545).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in South Bend grew 8.4% from $25.39/hr (2019) to $27.54/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.15/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
When considering the part-time earning potential, an athletic trainer working three days a week could expect an annual take-home amount significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem arrangements, for instance, frequently pay between $200-$500 per event, while industrial athletic trainers can earn between $50-$80 per hour with clients in settings like Toyota or Boeing. Coverage for events such as college bowl games may yield stipends ranging from $200 to $1,000. Variations in hourly rates also depend on the type of employer: secondary schools usually offer lower pay compared to NCAA institutions or professional teams. Many professionals in South Bend may trade off lower hourly wages for benefits like health insurance, which is a common negotiation point. For those seeking to maximize their hourly rates, showcasing specialized skills, gaining credentials from BOC, and promoting flexibility in schedule can be effective strategies in securing better compensation within this evolving field.
More salary data for South Bend, 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 South Bend. 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, 6-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