Athletic Trainer Salary in Decatur, IL: $64,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Decatur, IL earns a median $64,404/year (≈ $30.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $66,327 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Decatur, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $64,404 in 2026, which positions them slightly below the national median of $65,415. The salary range spans from $49,718 at the 10th percentile to $89,668 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying roles and responsibilities within the field. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and take into account regional cost-of-living adjustments, which are currently indexed at 97.1 compared to the national average. This salary landscape suggests a pay gap influenced by the predominant employment settings in the area, particularly the difference between those working in industrial capacities and traditional sports environments.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,718 | $23.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,424 | $27.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,404 | $30.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,251 | $36.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,668 | $43.11 |
Median Salary Position
1.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,950 (2026 est.). At $64,404, the local median is 1.55% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Decatur median: $64,404/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,515 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -1.55% less |
Athletic Trainers in Decatur, IL earn a median of $64,404 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.55% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.40% above the Illinois state average of $63,515.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $64,404 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,327 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,692
2025 BLS Actual
$61,554
2026 Current Est.
$64,404
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,692 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,672 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,008 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,035 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,104 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,386 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $47,692 (2019) to $61,554 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,386 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,694 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $49,718 – $56,424 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,424 – $64,404 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,404 – $76,251 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,251 – $89,668 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Decatur
In Decatur, the job market for athletic trainers shows a modest strength with 13 professionals currently employed in this role. The cost of living index indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power for residents can remain competitive. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include colleges and universities, and industrial health settings like Toyota and FedEx, which often pay more than roles in secondary educational institutions. The variation in compensation is driven by factors such as employment setting, levels of experience, and specialized certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT. For those looking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Decatur IL, pursuing opportunities in industrial settings or obtaining additional professional certifications could be advantageous strategies to enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 $61,554 for athletic trainersin the Decatur 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 Decatur 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