Athletic Trainer Salary

Danville vs Springfield: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Danville, IL and Springfield, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Danville, IL
$62,926
$30.25/hr
Springfield, IL
$62,893
$30.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDanville, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$62,926$62,893
Hourly Rate$30.25$30.24
Entry Level (P10)$49,847$48,271
25th Percentile$55,753$55,018
75th Percentile$73,209$77,015
Top Earner (P90)$84,629$92,610
Total Employed522
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Danville ($62,926) and Springfield ($62,893) athletic trainer salaries.DanvilleSpringfieldMedian Salary$62,926$62,893Entry Level (P10)$49,847$48,271Top Earner (P90)$84,629$92,610US Median $65,415

Verdict

Danville and Springfield are closely matched on overall athletic trainer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Danville and Springfield is $33 (0.05%). Danville's median is -3.80% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Danville spans $34,782,Springfield spans $44,339. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Danville
P10 (Entry)$49,847
P25$55,753
Median$62,926
P75$73,209
P90 (Top)$84,629
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$48,271
P25$55,018
Median$62,893
P75$77,015
P90 (Top)$92,610

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Danville ($64,805 effective) pays 0.05% more than Springfield ($64,771 effective).

Danville
Nominal: $62,926
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $64,805
Springfield
Nominal: $62,893
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $64,771

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Danville if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,926/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,805)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,610)
  • Larger job market (22 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Danville grew 7.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.2% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Danville, IL

+7.8%

$55,793 (2024) → $60,141 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+7.2%

$56,050 (2019) → $60,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Danville or Springfield?

Danville has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $62,926/year, compared to Springfield at $62,893/year — a difference of $33 (0.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Danville and Springfield?

Danville athletic trainers earn $30.25/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $30.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Danville to Springfield as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Danville and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Danville = $64,805, Springfield = $64,771), job availability (5 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Danville vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $49,847 in Danville and $48,271 in Springfield. The Danville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gomez, MS, ATCData verified by David Kim, BS, ATC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov