Athletic Trainer Salary in Gurnee, IL: $62,596 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Gurnee, IL earns a median $62,596/year (≈ $30.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Gurnee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,465 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gurnee, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $62,596. This figure highlights the balance candidates must weigh between traditional school-year contracts and year-round positions in industrial settings. Athletic trainer pay in Gurnee, IL, spans a range from $49,033 at the lower tenth percentile to as high as $83,690 at the ninety percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. Given Gurnee's particular job market nuances, those interested in pursuing a career as an athletic trainer should consider how these salary figures reflect both the opportunities available locally and the inherent trade-offs between different employment settings.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,033 | $23.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,052 | $26.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,596 | $30.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,334 | $34.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,690 | $40.24 |
Median Salary Position
4.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gurnee
In Gurnee, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,657 (2026 est.). At $62,596, the local median is 4.31% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gurnee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gurnee Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Gurnee median: $62,596/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gurnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,549 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.31% less |
Athletic Trainers in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $62,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.31% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $63,549.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gurnee 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.
Gurnee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,596 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,465 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,353
2025 BLS Actual
$59,826
2026 Current Est.
$62,596
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,353 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,712 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,334 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,434 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,826 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,596 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,494 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gurnee metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,353 (2019) to $59,826 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,494 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,141 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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) | $49,033 – $55,052 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,052 – $62,596 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,596 – $72,334 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,334 – $83,690 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Gurnee
The local job market currently employs eight athletic trainers, offering insight into the professional landscape in Gurnee. With a cost of living index of 97.1, the purchasing power for athletic trainers may slightly adjust their take-home pay compared to other regions. Among potential employers, high school positions often offer less compensation versus opportunities in collegiate athletics or industrial environments, such as those provided by Toyota or FedEx, where salaries can be notably higher. Variations in athletic trainer salaries are influenced by multiple factors, including the type of setting—professional sports versus educational institutions—contract duration, and level of responsibility, such as head versus assistant roles. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, obtaining additional certifications from the BOC and NATA, and gaining experience in industrial health settings can prove beneficial in Gurnee's job market.
More salary data for Gurnee, 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 $59,826 for athletic trainersin the Gurnee 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 Gurnee 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