Athletic Trainer Salary in Buffalo Grove, IL: $62,358 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Buffalo Grove, IL earns a median $62,358/year (≈ $29.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Buffalo Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,220 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buffalo Grove, IL, athletic trainers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $62,358 in 2026, which is approximately 4.67% lower than the national median of $65,415 for the same year. The salary range spans from $51,653 at the lower end (P10) to $88,803 (P90) for those in the field, reflecting various levels of experience, certifications, and work environments. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, indicating that the average pay may be influenced by the local demand and supply dynamics. Despite a solid salary structure, Buffalo Grove's compensation for athletic trainers highlights a prevailing pay gap, particularly when contrasting industrial athletic training roles—which typically offer more substantial wages—against traditional school-based positions.
About the Buffalo Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,653 | $24.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,965 | $27.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,358 | $29.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,823 | $34.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,803 | $42.69 |
Median Salary Position
4.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo Grove
In Buffalo Grove, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,150 (2026 est.). At $62,358, the local median is 4.67% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Grove Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Buffalo Grove median: $62,358/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,501 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.67% less |
Athletic Trainers in Buffalo Grove, IL earn a median of $62,358 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.67% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $63,501.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo Grove 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.
Buffalo Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,358 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,220 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,177
2025 BLS Actual
$59,599
2026 Current Est.
$62,358
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Buffalo Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,177 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,158 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,325 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,223 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,291 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,599 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,358 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,246 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo Grove metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,177 (2019) to $59,599 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,246 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,069 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo Grove 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) | $51,653 – $56,965 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,965 – $62,358 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,358 – $71,823 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,823 – $88,803 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Buffalo Grove
While there are only seven athletic trainers employed in Buffalo Grove, the local job market is supported by a cost-of-living index at 97.1, which is slightly below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance the purchasing power of salaries, helping to mitigate any potential drawbacks from lower pay scales. Athletic trainers in Buffalo Grove IL may find higher salaries in settings such as industrial health environments that serve companies like Toyota and Boeing, where compensation packages can significantly outpace those found in secondary schools or colleges. Variability in earnings also stems from factors such as the type of employment—head roles typically earn more than assistant positions, and involvement in weekend events can lead to additional stipends. For those aiming to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Buffalo Grove, obtaining relevant certifications and seeking out industrial settings are practical strategies to consider.Furthermore, the ongoing transition to a master's degree for entry-level positions may enhance future salary prospects, as the profession continues to elevate its standards through the NATA and BOC's guidelines.
More salary data for Buffalo Grove, 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 $59,599 for athletic trainersin the Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove 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