Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $36.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Madison, WI runs $36.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,150 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,689 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the athletic trainer hourly pay sits at a competitive rate of $36.61, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $31.45. This respectable pay reflects the city's commitment to supporting athletic trainers in various settings such as high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and outpatient clinics. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this means substantial earnings, especially given that the hourly pay range spans from $31.57 for entry-level positions to $39.32 for the most experienced trainers. Such figures, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, highlight the financial advantages of working as an athletic trainer in Madison, appealing to those looking for flexible or per-diem opportunities in the fitness and healthcare fields.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.57 | $252.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.90 | $263.17 |
| Median (P50) | $36.61 | $292.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.24 | $313.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.32 | $314.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $36.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.61/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $76,149 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,932. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,464.40 | $6,346 | $76,149 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $878.64 | $3,807 | $45,689 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $585.76 | $2,538 | $30,460 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Madison) | $36.61 |
| 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 Madison, WI earn a median of $76,150 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.41% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 24.60% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,115.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.61/hr = $45,689/year (purchasing power: $46,963).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,149/year (purchasing power: $78,272).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Madison grew 31.9% from $26.52/hr (2019) to $34.99/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.31/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 Madison 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 Madison
Examining part-time earning potential, an athletic trainer working 24 hours a week would take home approximately $45,275 annually, which is a flexible option for many seeking a balance between professional and personal life. Per diem opportunities in Madison present a different financial picture, with pay for event coverage ranging from $200 to $500 per occasion and industrial athletic contractors charging $50 to $80 per hour to clients like Toyota and Boeing. In collegiate or professional settings, stipends for bowl games or playoffs can vary from $200 to $1,000+, depending on the event. While some athletic trainers may accept lower hourly rates for guaranteed health benefits, those who work independently could demand higher rates but sacrifice financial security and access to insurance. Negotiating hourly wages in Madison involves understanding the local market, exploring different employment settings, and considering trade-offs between salaries and benefits. With the push towards master's degrees as the standard for the profession as of 2022, trainers transitioning into new roles must keep these financial elements in mind when weighing their opportunities.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Madison in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Madison?
Are athletic trainers in Madison paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Madison?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in Madison?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 Madison. 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