Athletic Trainer Salary in Aurora, IL: $62,724 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Aurora, IL earns a median $62,724/year (≈ $30.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,597 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Aurora, Illinois, can expect a median salary of $62,724, a figure that slightly trails the national median of $65,415. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning approximately $47,881, while experienced trainers can command as much as $89,689. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost conditions, reflect the trade-offs faced by professionals in the area. Trainers in Aurora often navigate the balance between school-year contracts in secondary education settings and year-round opportunities in industrial applications, where compensation is typically higher due to the nature of the work.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,881 | $23.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,313 | $25.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,724 | $30.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,220 | $36.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,689 | $43.12 |
Median Salary Position
4.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,808 (2026 est.). At $62,724, the local median is 4.11% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Aurora median: $62,724/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,550 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.11% less |
Athletic Trainers in Aurora, IL earn a median of $62,724 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.11% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.30% below the Illinois state average of $63,550.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora 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.
Aurora, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,724 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,597 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,447
2025 BLS Actual
$59,948
2026 Current Est.
$62,724
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,447 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,809 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,428 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,625 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,547 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,614 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,948 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,724 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,628 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,447 (2019) to $59,948 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,628 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,181 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $47,881 – $53,313 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,313 – $62,724 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,724 – $75,220 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,220 – $89,689 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Aurora
The job market for athletic trainers in Aurora shows decent strength, with around 44 professionals currently employed. Given the cost of living index at 97.1, salaries provide a competitive purchasing power, although professionals should be aware of varying pay scales across different employer categories. Those in collegiate athletics or working with professional sports teams can expect higher pay compared to their counterparts in high schools. Factors affecting compensation include the setting—where professional sports jobs usually pay more than industrial or educational roles—as well as responsibilities like head vs. assistant athletic trainer positions. To maximize earnings in this market, obtaining higher certifications and seeking opportunities in industrial health settings can be advantageous, as these positions tend to offer better financial rewards than traditional athletic training roles.
More salary data for Aurora, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Aurora, IL in 2026?
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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 $59,948 for athletic trainersin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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