Athletic Trainer Salary in Onalaska, WI: $65,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Onalaska, WI earns a median $65,549/year (≈ $31.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $70,181 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in Onalaska, Wisconsin, stands at $65,549 for 2026, slightly above the national median of $65,415. Athletic trainers in this region can expect to earn between $52,412 at the lower end of the spectrum and as much as $84,612 for those in more advanced or specialized positions. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living indices. In Onalaska, the compensation for athletic trainers reflects the unique trade-off between school-year contracts typical in high school settings and the year-round opportunities available in industrial settings, such as those found at local factories and healthcare institutions.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,412 | $25.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,931 | $29.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,549 | $31.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,370 | $35.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,612 | $40.68 |
Median Salary Position
0.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,200 (2026 est.). At $65,549, the local median is 0.2% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Onalaska Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $65,549/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,089 | +7.30% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +0.20% more |
Athletic Trainers in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $65,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.20% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 7.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,089.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska 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.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $65,549 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,181 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,539
2025 BLS Actual
$62,648
2026 Current Est.
$65,549
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,539 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,962 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,519 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,049 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,045 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,648 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,584 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $48,539 (2019) to $62,648 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,584 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,045 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $52,412 – $60,931 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,931 – $65,549 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,549 – $74,370 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,370 – $84,612 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Onalaska
With only four athletic trainers currently employed in Onalaska, the job market reflects a varied yet competitive environment. The cost of living index stands at 93.4, indicating a lower cost overhead compared to the national average, which enhances take-home purchasing power for local professionals. Among the various employers in the area, those in industrial and occupational health settings tend to offer the highest pay compared to high school athletic training roles, which often come with limited stipends for additional events. The pay disparity can be attributed to factors such as contract types, professional responsibilities (head versus assistant athletic trainer roles), and specialized certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT. For those looking to enhance their compensation in Onalaska, focusing on certification upgrades and seeking positions in industrial settings can offer more lucrative pay opportunities.
More salary data for Onalaska, 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 $62,648 for athletic trainersin the Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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