Athletic Trainer Salary in Springfield, IL: $62,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Springfield, IL earns a median $62,893/year (≈ $30.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,771 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Springfield, Illinois, the athletic trainer salary is projected to be $62,893 in 2026, reflecting a notable gap compared to the national median of $65,415. The compensation range for athletic trainers in the area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $48,271 and experienced roles commanding up to $92,610. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and consider regional price parity adjustments specific to Springfield. This local pay scale reveals a complex market dynamics influenced by the prevalence of industrial athletic training roles, which often outstrip traditional school-based positions in terms of salary and benefits, setting the stage for a competitive job environment for aspiring trainers in the region.
About the Springfield Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,271 | $23.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,018 | $26.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,893 | $30.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,015 | $37.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,610 | $44.52 |
Median Salary Position
3.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,339 (2026 est.). At $62,893, the local median is 3.86% below the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Springfield Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Springfield median: $62,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,528 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -3.86% less |
Athletic Trainers in Springfield, IL earn a median of $62,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.86% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.00% below the Illinois state average of $63,528.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield 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.
Springfield, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,893 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,771 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,050
2025 BLS Actual
$60,110
2026 Current Est.
$62,893
2019–2027 Growth
+17.4%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,805 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 7.2% from $56,050 (2019) to $60,110 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,805 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,755 (17.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $48,271 – $55,018 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,018 – $62,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,893 – $77,015 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,015 – $92,610 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Springfield
The local market for athletic trainers in Springfield employs about 22 professionals, highlighting an established yet modest demand for these specialists. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1—below the national average—take-home pay will stretch further for practitioners. Among various employers, industrial settings such as Toyota and Boeing often yield the highest athletic trainer pay in Springfield IL, due to their structured contracts and year-round work opportunities compared to high schools and colleges, which typically offer seasonal roles. Variations in salaries can be influenced by factors such as specific employment settings, job responsibilities (e.g., head athletic trainer versus assistant), and extra stipends for evening or weekend events. Those looking to maximize their earnings in this market may consider obtaining additional certifications, such as CSCS or OCS-AT, and exploring roles in industries that prioritize year-round training programs.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 $60,110 for athletic trainersin the Springfield 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 Springfield 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