Athletic Trainer Salary in Elkhart, IN: $65,313 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Elkhart, IN earns a median $65,313/year (≈ $31.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Elkhart's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $71,537 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elkhart, IN, the compensation for athletic trainers reflects a nuanced job market where professionals must choose between lucrative industrial positions or traditional roles within schools. The projected median annual salary of $65,313 indicates a competitive edge compared to the national median of $65,415. Salaries for athletic trainers in this area span from $52,661 at the 10th percentile to $93,818 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse range of earning potential for this profession. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variances, illustrate the significance of specific employment settings in determining compensation. Given Elkhart's dynamic job landscape, those entering the field must strategically consider which path aligns with their professional goals.
About the Elkhart Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,661 | $25.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,850 | $28.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,313 | $31.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,908 | $37.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,818 | $45.11 |
Median Salary Position
0.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elkhart
In Elkhart, IN, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,157 (2026 est.). At $65,313, the local median is 0.16% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elkhart: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elkhart Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Elkhart median: $65,313/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elkhart Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $66,308 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -0.16% less |
Athletic Trainers in Elkhart, IN earn a median of $65,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.16% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.50% below the Indiana state average of $66,308.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elkhart has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elkhart, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $65,313 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,537 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$48,365
2025 BLS Actual
$62,423
2026 Current Est.
$65,313
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Elkhart (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,365 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,783 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,345 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,756 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,565 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,423 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,313 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,337 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elkhart metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $48,365 (2019) to $62,423 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,337 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,972 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elkhart 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) | $52,661 – $58,850 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,850 – $65,313 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,313 – $78,908 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,908 – $93,818 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Elkhart
Meanwhile, the job market in Elkhart features 14 athletic trainers, indicating a small but stable community of professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 91.3, the financial realities for athletic trainers suggest that salaries may stretch further in this environment than in less affordable regions. Employers such as secondary schools typically pay less than industrial settings, where organizations like Toyota and FedEx offer competitive salaries reflective of the year-round contracts and specialized skills including certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT. As athletic trainers navigate these options, emphasizing skills relevant to industrial health can significantly enhance earning capacity. Moreover, taking up head positions instead of assistant roles and negotiating stipends for additional responsibilities can further increase overall compensation. Ultimately, being adaptable and informed about the local market is key for those pursuing an athletic trainer salary in Elkhart.
More salary data for Elkhart, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Elkhart, IN in 2026?
Is Elkhart, IN a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Elkhart?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Elkhart?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in Elkhart?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 $62,423 for athletic trainersin the Elkhart 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 Elkhart 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