Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Onalaska, WI: $31.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Onalaska, WI runs $31.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,549 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Onalaska's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,330 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Onalaska, WI, the projected athletic trainer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $31.51, just slightly above the national median of $31.45. This hourly rate suggests a promising income potential for both full-time and part-time athletic trainers, particularly those working within high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and various specialized environments like industrial clinics and military contexts. The hourly earnings range from $25.19 at the entry-level to $40.68 for top earners in the field. This bifurcation allows for flexibility where part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, can manage a viable work-life balance while still achieving competitive compensation rates for their expertise.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.19 | $201.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.30 | $234.37 |
| Median (P50) | $31.51 | $252.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.75 | $286.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.68 | $325.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Onalaska
Based on $31.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.51/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Onalaska, WI can expect to earn approximately $65,550 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,817. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Onalaska.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Onalaska
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,260.58 | $5,463 | $65,550 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $756.35 | $3,278 | $39,330 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $504.23 | $2,185 | $26,220 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Onalaska) | $31.51 |
| 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 Onalaska, WI earn a median of $65,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.20% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 7.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,089.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.51/hr = $39,330/year (purchasing power: $42,109).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,550/year (purchasing power: $70,182).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Onalaska grew 29.1% from $23.34/hr (2019) to $30.12/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.97/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 Onalaska 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 Onalaska
Analyzing part-time opportunities, a 24-hour weekly schedule can yield different financial outcomes depending on the setting. With best practices for per diem athletic trainer pay in Onalaska, event coverage can command between $200 and $500 per occasion, while industrial athletic trainers may earn up to $80 per hour, reflecting the higher demand in corporate environments like Boeing and FedEx. Although secondary school settings might offer lower hourly wages, they often provide benefits that appeal to many practitioners who value health insurance and job stability. Negotiating this landscape requires understanding employer dynamics; athletic trainers may find greater financial freedom within agency roles but lose out on traditional benefits. Each environment presents a unique set of trade-offs, revealing a balance between hourly compensation and overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Onalaska, WI:
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 Onalaska. 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 Onalaska 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