Athletic Trainer Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $62,508 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $62,508/year (≈ $30.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,375 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington Heights, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $62,508, reflecting a competitive but nuanced pay structure compared to the national median of $65,415. The salary range spans from $50,303 at the lower end (P10) to $89,668 at the higher end (P90). These figures arise from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost considerations. The distinct divide in compensation can be attributed to the varying settings within the profession; athletic trainers in industrial environments typically earn more compared to those in traditional sports arenas, significantly impacting overall pay scales in the region.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,303 | $24.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,250 | $27.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,508 | $30.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,447 | $36.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,668 | $43.11 |
Median Salary Position
4.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,365 (2026 est.). At $62,508, the local median is 4.44% below the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $62,508/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,524 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.44% less |
Athletic Trainers in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $62,508 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.44% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $63,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,508 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,375 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,288
2025 BLS Actual
$59,742
2026 Current Est.
$62,508
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,288 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,269 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,448 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,356 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,423 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,742 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,508 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,402 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,288 (2019) to $59,742 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,402 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,114 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,303 – $56,250 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,250 – $62,508 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,508 – $75,447 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,447 – $89,668 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Arlington Heights
With 18 athletic trainers currently employed in Arlington Heights, the local job market presents both opportunities and challenges amid a cost-of-living index of 97.1, which suggests that take-home purchasing power may be lower than in higher-cost cities. Employment opportunities exist in diverse environments, including secondary schools, colleges, and industrial settings, where occupational health roles tend to attract higher salaries than those in educational institutions. Factors influencing salary disparities include the distinction between head athletic trainers and assistants, certification levels such as CSCS or OCS-AT, and the specific demands of year-round versus school-year contracts. For those seeking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Arlington Heights, pursuing additional certifications, seeking positions in industrial settings, and emphasizing flexibility for evening or weekend events can enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,742 for athletic trainersin the Arlington Heights metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington Heights 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