Athletic Trainer Salary in Champaign, IL: $68,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Champaign, IL earns a median $68,428/year (≈ $32.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Champaign's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $73,813 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Champaign, Illinois, reaches a median of $68,428, reflecting a 4.61% increase over the national median of $65,415. This variation in compensation highlights the distinct gap between traditional sports environments and industrial settings, with salaries ranging from $46,634 at the 10th percentile to $92,870 at the 90th percentile. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, indicates that local athletic trainers benefit from a favorable market context, especially considering the job's sectoral diversity. The strong presence of collegiate sports, alongside industrial roles, provides diverse pathways for employment and income levels that reflect the specialty within the profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,634 | $22.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,964 | $25.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,428 | $32.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,359 | $33.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,870 | $44.65 |
Median Salary Position
4.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Champaign
In Champaign, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,236 (2026 est.). At $68,428, the local median is 4.61% above the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Champaign: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Champaign Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Champaign median: $68,428/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Champaign Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,536 | +7.70% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +4.61% more |
Athletic Trainers in Champaign, IL earn a median of $68,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.61% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 7.70% above the Illinois state average of $63,536.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Champaign has a cost of living 7.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Champaign, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.704 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $68,428 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,813 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,570
2025 BLS Actual
$65,400
2026 Current Est.
$68,428
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,157 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,596 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Champaign metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 19.8% from $54,570 (2019) to $65,400 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,596 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,026 (31.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Champaign 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) | $46,634 – $52,964 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,964 – $68,428 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,428 – $69,359 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,359 – $92,870 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Champaign
Local employment statistics show that there are currently 40 athletic trainers employed in Champaign, a figure that speaks to a steady demand for professionals in this area. The cost of living index in Champaign stands at 92.704, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, take-home pay may stretch further here than in more expensive regions. Among local employers, colleges and universities often pay higher than secondary schools, and positions in industrial health settings tend to offer lucrative pay, often driven by contracts that cater to evening or weekend events. The disparities in salary reflect the varying degrees of responsibility and specialization, with roles requiring certifications like OCS-AT or CSCS typically drawing higher compensation. For those looking to maximize athletic trainer pay in Champaign, pursuing positions in industrial health or obtaining advanced credentials can significantly boost earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Champaign, IL:
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 $65,400 for athletic trainersin the Champaign 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, 4-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