Athletic Trainer Salary in Wausau, WI: $59,405 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Wausau, WI earns a median $59,405/year (≈ $28.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $63,603 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, the athletic trainer salary landscape has experienced a significant shift following the 2022 transition to a master's degree requirement for entry-level positions. Currently projected for 2026, the median annual salary stands at $59,405, reflecting local estimates that take into account regional economic factors. Athletic trainers in this area can expect compensation that ranges from $44,949 at the lower 10th percentile to $83,619 at the 90th percentile. This pay scale positions Wausau's athletic trainer earnings about 9.19% below the national median of $65,415, indicative of the area’s unique job market dynamics and cost-of-living considerations.
About the Wausau Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,949 | $21.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,881 | $26.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,405 | $28.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,202 | $34.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,619 | $40.20 |
Median Salary Position
9.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,670 (2026 est.). At $59,405, the local median is 9.19% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Wausau median: $59,405/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,116 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -9.19% less |
Athletic Trainers in Wausau, WI earn a median of $59,405 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.19% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,116.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau 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.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $59,405 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,603 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,990
2025 BLS Actual
$56,776
2026 Current Est.
$59,405
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,279 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,971 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,893 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,608 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,038 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,776 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,405 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,155 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $43,990 (2019) to $56,776 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,155 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,165 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $44,949 – $54,881 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,881 – $59,405 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,405 – $71,202 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,202 – $83,619 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Wausau
Currently, Wausau employs just eight athletic trainers, indicating a specialized job market that can impact compensation structures. The cost of living in the area sits below the national average at a CoL index of 93.4, which influences the buying power of these salaries. Among the various employers in Wausau, those in industrial and occupational health settings typically offer higher pay compared to traditional athletic training roles in high schools or colleges. Factors contributing to the pay gap include the nature of employment—year-round positions versus school-year contracts—and additional compensation for evening or weekend duties. Athletic trainers seeking to enhance their salary should consider pursuing niches in occupational health settings or obtaining certifications such as the CSCS or OCS-AT, which are valued by employers and can lead to increased earnings in Wausau, WI.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 $56,776 for athletic trainersin the Wausau 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 Wausau 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