Athletic Trainer Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $63,448 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $63,448/year (≈ $30.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $65,453 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $63,448, which reflects a slight dip of 3.01% compared to the national median of $65,415. The salary range for athletic trainers here varies significantly, from $48,967 at the 10th percentile to $81,151 at the 90th percentile. This information, derived from projections based on 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, highlights the trade-offs between traditional school-year contracts in educational settings and year-round roles in industrial environments. Milwaukee's job market offers a diverse array of employment options, emphasizing the need for athletic trainers to consider their career path carefully, whether they choose secondary schools, colleges, or professional sports teams.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,967 | $23.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,553 | $23.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,448 | $30.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,211 | $34.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,151 | $39.02 |
Median Salary Position
3.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,184 (2026 est.). At $63,448, the local median is 3.01% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukee Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $63,448/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,125 | +3.80% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -3.01% less |
Athletic Trainers in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $63,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.01% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,125.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,448 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,453 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,150
2025 BLS Actual
$60,640
2026 Current Est.
$63,448
2019–2027 Growth
+27.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,448 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,385 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 16.3% from $52,150 (2019) to $60,640 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,385 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,235 (27.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $48,967 – $49,553 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,553 – $63,448 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,448 – $71,211 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,211 – $81,151 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Milwaukee
The local job market employs approximately 150 athletic trainers, providing a solid foundation for those entering the field. Milwaukee's cost of living index stands at 96.937, indicating that the city is slightly below the national average, which enhances the take-home purchasing power for those working as athletic trainers. Among various employment options, professional sports teams, such as those in the NFL and NBA, tend to offer the highest compensation, likely due to the heightened demands and expectations in those environments. The disparity in athletic trainer pay in Milwaukee can be attributed to factors such as the work setting, with industrial positions typically paying more than those in educational institutions. Strategies to maximize earning potential include pursuing advanced certifications, seeking evening and weekend stipends, and considering roles with greater responsibility, such as head athletic trainer positions. With the right focus, professionals in the Milwaukee area can effectively navigate their career growth while considering the benefits of each unique environment.
More salary data for Milwaukee, 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 $60,640 for athletic trainersin the Milwaukee 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
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