Athletic Trainer Salary in Illinois: $65,646 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 64 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $65,646/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,607 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($66,467), Chicago ($65,780), Champaign ($65,400).
In Illinois, the average median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is projected to be $65,646, slightly above the national median of $65,415, representing a 0.4% increase. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Naperville offering the highest salary at $69,544, while Rock Island presents the lowest at $54,640, resulting in a difference of $14,904. This gap can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for sports healthcare professionals, and the concentration of educational and athletic facilities in metropolitan areas. Illinois has established specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that shape the responsibilities and opportunities for athletic trainers. The projected growth rate in this field is 4.63% annually, indicating a steady demand for professionals as health awareness and sports participation continue to rise. Among the top-paying cities, Chicago offers a salary of $68,826, while other notable cities include Champaign at $68,428, Elgin at $68,211, and Urbana at $68,179. The job market for athletic trainers in Illinois shows strong potential, driven by increased emphasis on injury prevention and rehabilitation in educational and athletic institutions.
Illinois Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $41,538 (lowest entry-level) to $103,902 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois athletic trainers earn 0.35% more than the national median (+$231/year difference).
Illinois Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Illinois range from $50,482 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,295 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,646. The Illinois median is $231 above the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $31.56/hr. Approximately 1,411 athletic trainers are employed across 64 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,543
2025 BLS Actual
$62,741
2026 Current Est.
$65,646
2019–2027 Growth
+57.7%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,543 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,227 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,132 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,318 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,741 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,646 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,685 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 44.1% from $43,543 (2019) to $62,741 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,685 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,142 (57.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Rock Island | $54,640 |
| Moline | $55,500 |
| Carbondale | $59,494 |
| Elmhurst | $60,087 |
| Calumet City | $60,234 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | $68,428 | 92.704 | $73,813 |
| Naperville | $69,544 | 97.1 | $71,621 |
| Elgin | $68,211 | 97.1 | $70,248 |
| Urbana | $68,179 | 97.1 | $70,215 |
| Chicago | $68,826 | 103.595 | $66,438 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,482 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,646 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,295 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 64 Cities in Illinois
More Illinois Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Illinois
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Illinois in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Illinois?
How does Illinois athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Illinois?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Illinois?
Which Illinois city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 athletic trainer compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 64 metro areas — larger metro areas with more athletic trainerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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