Athletic Trainer Salary in Michigan: $61,994 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Michigan's 52 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $61,994/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Michigan sits at BEA RPP 93.2 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,517 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lansing ($65,620), East Lansing ($65,066), Ann Arbor ($63,330).
In 2026, the average median salary for athletic trainers in Michigan is projected to be $61,994, which is approximately 5.2% below the national median of $65,415. The highest-paying city in the state is Lansing, offering an average salary of $68,658, while Romulus has the lowest average at $56,381, creating a salary gap of $12,277. This difference can largely be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for sports and healthcare services, and the presence of educational institutions that influence hiring rates. Michigan has specific licensing requirements and regulations that must be met for athletic trainers, affecting the practice scope and job opportunities. The athletic training field in Michigan is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.63%, reflecting increasing demand for these professionals across various sectors like schools, sports organizations, and healthcare facilities. Major metro areas, such as East Lansing and Ann Arbor, show promising salaries of $68,079 and $66,262 respectively, indicating healthy job opportunities. In total, there are 1,129 employed athletic trainers in the state, reflecting a stable job market for those entering this profession.
Michigan Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Michigan: $44,179 (lowest entry-level) to $118,431 (highest top earner)
Michigan vs National Average
Michigan athletic trainers earn 5.23% less than the national median ($-3,421/year difference).
Michigan Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Michigan range from $49,753 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $84,033 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,994. The Michigan median is $3,421 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $29.80/hr. Approximately 1,129 athletic trainers are employed across 52 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,838
2025 BLS Actual
$59,251
2026 Current Est.
$61,994
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Michigan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,838 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,054 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,025 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,564 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,793 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,251 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,994 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Michigan metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 16.5% from $50,838 (2019) to $59,251 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,026 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Michigan 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Michigan
Lowest Paying Cities in Michigan
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Romulus | $56,381 |
| Ypsilanti | $56,706 |
| Mount Pleasant | $56,871 |
| Portage | $57,660 |
| Traverse City | $57,696 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Michigan
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Michigan cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Lansing | $68,079 | 93.2 | $73,046 |
| Lansing | $68,658 | 94.991 | $72,278 |
| Clinton Township | $63,037 | 93.2 | $67,636 |
| Wyoming | $62,992 | 93.2 | $67,588 |
| Sterling Heights | $62,244 | 93.2 | $66,785 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Michigan
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,753 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,994 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $84,033 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Michigan metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 52 Cities in Michigan
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lansing | $68,658 |
| 2 | East Lansing | $68,079 |
| 3 | Ann Arbor | $66,262 |
| 4 | Clinton Township | $63,037 |
| 5 | Wyoming | $62,992 |
| 6 | Sterling Heights | $62,244 |
| 7 | Grand Rapids | $62,223 |
| 8 | Detroit | $62,182 |
| 9 | Dearborn | $61,860 |
| 10 | Battle Creek | $61,712 |
| 11 | Warren | $61,642 |
| 12 | West Bloomfield | $61,615 |
| 13 | Kalamazoo | $61,596 |
| 14 | Shelby Township | $61,475 |
| 15 | Troy | $61,345 |
| 16 | Westland | $61,186 |
| 17 | Kentwood | $61,121 |
| 18 | Farmington Hills | $61,055 |
| 19 | Dearborn Heights | $60,920 |
| 20 | Southfield | $60,804 |
| 21 | Macomb Township | $60,674 |
| 22 | St. Clair Shores | $60,606 |
| 23 | Rochester Hills | $60,572 |
| 24 | Bay City | $60,522 |
| 25 | Taylor | $60,403 |
| 26 | Port Huron | $60,233 |
| 27 | Royal Oak | $60,220 |
| 28 | Lincoln Park | $60,176 |
| 29 | Jackson | $60,125 |
| 30 | Saginaw | $60,082 |
| 31 | Livonia | $60,056 |
| 32 | Canton | $59,607 |
| 33 | Novi | $59,587 |
| 34 | Auburn Hills | $59,528 |
| 35 | Waterford | $59,496 |
| 36 | Muskegon | $59,419 |
| 37 | Roseville | $59,386 |
| 38 | Flint | $59,350 |
| 39 | Garden City | $59,269 |
| 40 | Allen Park | $58,913 |
| 41 | Pontiac | $58,872 |
| 42 | Marquette | $58,718 |
| 43 | Norton Shores | $58,705 |
| 44 | Inkster | $58,627 |
| 45 | Midland | $58,284 |
| 46 | Holland | $58,260 |
| 47 | Ferndale | $57,856 |
| 48 | Traverse City | $57,696 |
| 49 | Portage | $57,660 |
| 50 | Mount Pleasant | $56,871 |
| 51 | Ypsilanti | $56,706 |
| 52 | Romulus | $56,381 |
More Michigan Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in Michigan cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Michigan
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Michigan in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Michigan?
How does Michigan athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Michigan?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Michigan?
Which Michigan city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 athletic trainer compensation across Michigan. State averages are employment-weighted across 52 metro areas — larger metro areas with more athletic trainerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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