Athletic Trainer Salary in Chicago, IL: $68,826 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Chicago, IL earns a median $68,826/year (≈ $33.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $66,438 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.4% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Chicago, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $68,826 in 2026, which represents a competitive wage compared to the national figure of $65,415. The salary ranges significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $52,608 and high-end salaries reaching up to $93,958. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. In the context of Chicago’s job market, athletic trainers face a unique trade-off between academic and industrial settings. Those working in professional sports or year-round positions typically earn more than their counterparts in secondary school roles, reflecting the health and athletic demands present in those environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,608 | $25.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,331 | $28.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,826 | $33.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,423 | $39.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,958 | $45.17 |
Median Salary Position
5.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,350 (2026 est.). At $68,826, the local median is 5.21% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Chicago median: $68,826/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,492 | +8.40% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +5.21% more |
Athletic Trainers in Chicago, IL earn a median of $68,826 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 8.40% above the Illinois state average of $63,492.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,826 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,438 — a 3.47% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$42,790
2025 BLS Actual
$65,780
2026 Current Est.
$68,826
2019–2027 Growth
+68.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,826 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,012 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 53.7% from $42,790 (2019) to $65,780 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,012 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,222 (68.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $52,608 – $58,331 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,331 – $68,826 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,826 – $81,423 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,423 – $93,958 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Chicago
With about 650 athletic trainers in the Chicago area, the job market remains robust, though the cost of living—indicated by a CoL index of 103.595—adds complexity to financial planning. For athletic trainer pay in Chicago IL, positions within professional sports teams or colleges usually offer the highest salaries, driven by both the competitive nature of these settings and additional stipends for after-hours events. Conversely, those in high school settings or outpatient care may find salaries on the lower end of the scale due to the seasonal nature of their contracts. The disparities in compensation often arise from the type of setting, the experience level (such as head athletic trainer vs. assistant roles), and specialized certification endorsements like CSCS or OCS-AT, which have become increasingly valuable after the 2022 transition to master's-level education. Understanding these dynamics can help athletic trainers negotiate better pay and seek out optimal employment opportunities in the Chicago market.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Chicago, IL in 2026?
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Chicago?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Chicago?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in Chicago?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $65,780 for athletic trainersin the Chicago 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, 7-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