Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Sun Prairie, WI: $28.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Sun Prairie, WI runs $28.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,367 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Sun Prairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,622 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, the athletic trainer hourly pay averages about $28.54, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.45. This discrepancy suggests that athletic trainers in this region may have to balance their career decisions accordingly, especially when considering part-time or per diem positions in various settings like high schools, colleges, professional teams, industrial clinics, and military bases. For part-time athletic trainers working three days a week, the hourly pay allows for flexibility in work and life balance, with entry-level hourly rates starting around $21.69 and top earners approaching $40.07. Given that the hourly rates are derived from annual salary projections, these figures provide valuable insight into potential earnings across different environments within the profession.
About the Sun Prairie 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) | $21.69 | $173.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.35 | $210.77 |
| Median (P50) | $28.54 | $228.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.23 | $273.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.07 | $320.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sun Prairie
Based on $28.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.54/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sun Prairie, WI can expect to earn approximately $59,370 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,252. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sun Prairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sun Prairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,141.72 | $4,947 | $59,370 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.03 | $2,968 | $35,622 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.69 | $1,979 | $23,748 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Sun Prairie) | $28.54 |
| 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 Sun Prairie, WI earn a median of $59,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.25% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,077.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.54/hr = $35,622/year (purchasing power: $38,139).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,370/year (purchasing power: $63,565).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Sun Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Sun Prairie grew 29.1% from $21.14/hr (2019) to $27.28/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.86/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 Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie
For those contemplating a part-time career in athletic training, a 24-hour work week translates to an annual income that significantly falls short of full-time earnings. Part-time professionals may expect to earn less than their full-time counterparts, who may secure benefits alongside standard pay. Per diem athletic trainers in Sun Prairie often find themselves making $200-$500 per event for coverage, while industrial settings like those at Toyota or FedEx might offer between $50-$80 per hour due to higher demand. College and professional sports settings may provide better stipends, especially during major events, sometimes reaching as high as $1,000 for coverage. While the allure of higher hourly pay exists in many situations, the trade-offs, such as access to health insurance and retirement plans, can sway decisions. For hourly workers in this market, honing negotiation skills can prove beneficial, particularly when exploring roles that offer both competitive pay and essential employee benefits in the evolving landscape of athletic training in Sun Prairie.
More salary data for Sun Prairie, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Sun Prairie in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Sun Prairie?
Are athletic trainers in Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie. 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 Sun Prairie 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