Athletic Trainer Salary in Joliet, IL: $63,109 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Joliet, IL earns a median $63,109/year (≈ $30.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,994 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Joliet, Illinois, athletic trainers can anticipate a median annual salary of $63,109 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $65,415, exemplifying a regional trade-off where many local professionals may choose between school-year contracts and year-round positions in industrial settings. Athletic trainers in Joliet can expect salaries ranging from $48,769 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $91,011 at the upper end (P90). These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, positioning Joliet's market as competitive for those navigating the local employment landscape.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,769 | $23.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,458 | $26.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,109 | $30.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,140 | $36.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,011 | $43.76 |
Median Salary Position
3.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,242 (2026 est.). At $63,109, the local median is 3.53% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Joliet median: $63,109/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,490 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -3.53% less |
Athletic Trainers in Joliet, IL earn a median of $63,109 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.53% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $63,490.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,109 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,994 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,732
2025 BLS Actual
$60,316
2026 Current Est.
$63,109
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,732 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,102 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,713 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,942 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,888 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,955 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,316 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,109 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,031 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,732 (2019) to $60,316 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,031 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,299 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $48,769 – $55,458 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,458 – $63,109 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,109 – $76,140 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,140 – $91,011 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Joliet
Looking deeper into the Joliet job market, there are currently 25 athletic trainers employed in the area, reflecting a stable presence in the community. The cost-of-living index in Joliet is 97.1, slightly below the national average, which can influence the real value of earnings and overall purchasing power. Those seeking the highest pay should target employment with professional sports teams or in industrial settings, such as roles with Toyota and Boeing, where compensation often exceeds that of traditional school and collegiate positions. Differences in pay levels are driven by factors including the type of employer, the nature of the contract (year-round versus school-year), and added responsibilities such as head AT positions or after-hours events. To maximize earnings in Joliet, aspiring athletic trainers would do well to pursue additional certifications, such as CSCS or OCS-AT, and explore opportunities in various settings beyond the conventional athletic role.
More salary data for Joliet, 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 $60,316 for athletic trainersin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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