Athletic Trainer Salary

South Bend vs Terre Haute: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between South Bend, IN and Terre Haute, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

South Bend, IN
$59,943
$28.82/hr
Terre Haute, IN
$66,962
$32.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSouth Bend, INTerre Haute, IN
Median Salary$59,943$66,962
Hourly Rate$28.82$32.19
Entry Level (P10)$48,245$51,325
25th Percentile$48,245$58,336
75th Percentile$68,731$80,366
Top Earner (P90)$75,878$92,854
Total Employed5013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing South Bend ($59,943) and Terre Haute ($66,962) athletic trainer salaries.South BendTerre HauteMedian Salary$59,943$66,962Entry Level (P10)$48,245$51,325Top Earner (P90)$75,878$92,854US Median $65,415

Verdict

Terre Haute, IN offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to South Bend.

The salary gap between South Bend and Terre Haute is $7,019 (11.71%). Terre Haute's median is +2.36% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in South Bend spans $27,633,Terre Haute spans $41,529. Terre Haute has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

South Bend
P10 (Entry)$48,245
P25$48,245
Median$59,943
P75$68,731
P90 (Top)$75,878
Terre Haute
P10 (Entry)$51,325
P25$58,336
Median$66,962
P75$80,366
P90 (Top)$92,854

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Terre Haute ($73,343 effective) pays 13.62% more than South Bend ($64,553 effective).

South Bend
Nominal: $59,943
CoL Index: 92.858
Adjusted: $64,553
Terre Haute
Nominal: $66,962
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $73,343

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose South Bend if…

  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Terre Haute if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,962/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,854)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,343)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in South Bend grew 8.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.7% growth in Terre Haute over the same period.

South Bend, IN

+8.5%

$52,820 (2019) → $57,290 (2025)

Terre Haute, IN

+15.7%

$55,320 (2019) → $63,999 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: South Bend or Terre Haute?

Terre Haute has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $66,962/year, compared to South Bend at $59,943/year — a difference of $7,019 (11.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between South Bend and Terre Haute?

South Bend athletic trainers earn $28.82/hr while Terre Haute hygienists earn $32.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from South Bend to Terre Haute as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing South Bend and Terre Haute. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: South Bend = $64,553, Terre Haute = $73,343), job availability (50 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in South Bend vs Terre Haute?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $48,245 in South Bend and $51,325 in Terre Haute. The Terre Haute 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