Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Traverse City, MI: $27.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Traverse City, MI runs $27.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,696 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Traverse City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,616 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Traverse City, the projected median hourly pay for athletic trainers is $27.74, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.45. This difference can significantly affect professionals working part-time or per diem, highlighting the importance of location in this field. Athletic trainers are often employed in various settings, such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, professional sports teams, and industrial workplace clinics. With hourly rates spanning from $21.98 for entry-level positions to $36.35 for experienced trainers, it's clear that factors like experience, setting, and specific employer can influence pay quite substantially. These hourly figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, which further illustrates the diverse earning potential available for athletic trainers in Traverse City and MI.
About the Traverse City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.98 | $175.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.46 | $195.70 |
| Median (P50) | $27.74 | $221.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.89 | $255.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.35 | $290.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Traverse City
Based on $27.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.74/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Traverse City, MI can expect to earn approximately $57,694 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,285. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Traverse City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Traverse City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,109.50 | $4,808 | $57,694 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $665.70 | $2,885 | $34,616 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $443.80 | $1,923 | $23,078 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Traverse City) | $27.74 |
| 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 Traverse City, MI earn a median of $57,696 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.80% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 5.40% below the Michigan state average of $60,990.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.74/hr = $34,616/year (purchasing power: $37,142).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,694/year (purchasing power: $61,903).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Traverse City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Traverse City grew 29.1% from $20.54/hr (2019) to $26.51/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.02/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 Traverse City 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 Traverse City
As the demand for athletic trainers grows — projected to increase with a 4.63% annual growth rate over the next five years, those working part-time, such as a trainer clocking 24 hours per week, would take home around $35,000 annually. Per diem opportunities, often focusing on game coverage, can pay between $200 to $500 per event, making this route attractive for many professionals wanting flexibility in their schedules. In industrial settings, where organizations like Toyota and Boeing hire athletic trainers, rates can range from $50 to $80 per hour, highlighting a stark contrast to compensation in educational environments. Athletic trainers may choose lower hourly rates for jobs that offer benefits, weighing this trade-off carefully. Those seeking to negotiate better pay should consider emphasizing their specialized skills and the specific needs of prospective employers in Traverse City, particularly those in a college or industrial context, to secure a competitive hourly rate.
More salary data for Traverse City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Traverse City in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Traverse City?
Are athletic trainers in Traverse City paid hourly or salary?
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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 Traverse City. 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 Traverse City 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