Athletic Trainer Salary in Dearborn, MI: $61,860 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Dearborn, MI earns a median $61,860/year (≈ $29.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Dearborn's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $66,373 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Dearborn, MI is projected to reach a median of $61,860, reflecting the balance between working in a school-year contract versus a year-round industrial setting. The salary range spans from $48,883 at the 10th percentile to $90,454 at the 90th percentile, providing a diverse spectrum of opportunities in the local job market. These numbers come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price levels. Athletic trainers in Dearborn may find that roles in industrial settings, such as health services at companies like Toyota or Boeing, tend to command higher salaries compared to positions in secondary schools or colleges, which often adhere to academic calendar constraints.
About the Dearborn Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,883 | $23.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,837 | $25.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,860 | $29.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,564 | $36.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,454 | $43.48 |
Median Salary Position
5.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dearborn
In Dearborn, MI, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,571 (2026 est.). At $61,860, the local median is 5.43% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dearborn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dearborn Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Dearborn median: $61,860/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dearborn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $60,946 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -5.43% less |
Athletic Trainers in Dearborn, MI earn a median of $61,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.43% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.50% above the Michigan state average of $60,946.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dearborn has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dearborn, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $61,860 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,373 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,808
2025 BLS Actual
$59,123
2026 Current Est.
$61,860
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Dearborn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,808 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,151 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,789 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,915 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,782 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,123 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,860 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,725 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dearborn metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $45,808 (2019) to $59,123 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,725 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,917 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dearborn 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) | $48,883 – $53,837 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,837 – $61,860 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,860 – $75,564 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,564 – $90,454 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Dearborn
As of now, Dearborn employs 19 athletic trainers, a number that highlights a specialized but limited job market. The cost of living index in Dearborn stands at 93.2, reflecting a lower-than-average cost of living, which can enhance purchasing power despite a slightly lower rate of pay compared to the national median. Employers such as colleges and universities, alongside industrial health facilities, generally offer more competitive salaries due to the year-round nature of the work. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to workplace setting, with professional sports roles typically outpacing industrial and educational positions. To maximize earnings in this market, professionals might consider pursuing additional certifications, taking on evening or weekend event responsibilities, or aiming for head athletic trainer roles rather than assistant positions.
More salary data for Dearborn, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can athletic trainers make $100K in Dearborn?
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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 $59,123 for athletic trainersin the Dearborn 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 Dearborn 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