Athletic Trainer Salary in Appleton, WI: $60,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Appleton, WI earns a median $60,387/year (≈ $29.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $64,654 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainer salaries in Appleton, Wisconsin, show promising potential, with a projected median annual pay of $60,387. This figure is approximately 7.69% lower than the national median of $65,415, indicating a salary structure that reflects the local job market dynamics. Salaries for athletic trainers in this region range from $44,183 at the 10th percentile to $83,312 at the 90th percentile. These estimates stem from 2025 BLS data and account for local cost adjustments, suggesting that while opportunities exist, the unique mix of industrial and traditional sports settings shapes compensation levels significantly. Appleton's job market includes roles within secondary schools, industrial health settings, and outpatient clinics, each influencing salary appropriateness in this community.
About the Appleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,183 | $21.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,656 | $26.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,387 | $29.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,898 | $34.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,312 | $40.05 |
Median Salary Position
7.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,129 (2026 est.). At $60,387, the local median is 7.69% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Appleton Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Appleton median: $60,387/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,121 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -7.69% less |
Athletic Trainers in Appleton, WI earn a median of $60,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.69% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,121.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $60,387 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,654 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,020
2025 BLS Actual
$57,715
2026 Current Est.
$60,387
2019–2027 Growth
+75.4%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,702 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,478 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,715 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,183 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 60.2% from $36,020 (2019) to $57,715 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,183 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,163 (75.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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) | $44,183 – $54,656 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,656 – $60,387 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,387 – $70,898 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,898 – $83,312 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Appleton
Looking deeper into the local job market, there are currently 17 athletic trainers working in Appleton, indicating a limited pool for potential jobs but a stable demand for their expertise. The cost-of-living index for the area sits at 93.4, which is below the national average, allowing for a specific purchasing power that impacts take-home salaries differently than in higher-cost areas. Employers in the region frequently hiring include secondary educational institutions, colleges, and industrial health corporations. The pay variance tends to stem from factors such as the setting—professional sports typically yield higher salaries compared to school-based positions—as well as contract differences like year-round versus school-year employment. Additional strategies for increasing earnings in Appleton could include seeking positions that offer stipends for extra duties, pursuing specialized certifications, and moving toward advanced roles such as head athletic trainer.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 $57,715 for athletic trainersin the Appleton 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 Appleton 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