Athletic Trainer Salary in Northbrook, IL: $62,649 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Northbrook, IL earns a median $62,649/year (≈ $30.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Northbrook's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,520 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Northbrook, IL, the 2026 median athletic trainer salary is projected to be $62,649, slightly below the national average of $65,415. The compensation range for athletic trainers in this area varies from $49,099 at the 10th percentile to $85,931 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments that reflect local economic conditions. Northbrook's market dynamics may contribute to this lower than average pay, particularly with the prevalence of industrial athletic training roles, which often command a premium over traditional sports settings. Given the rising demand for trained professionals in both educational and occupational health contexts, the job outlook appears promising for athletic trainers, indicating a steady growth rate of 4.63% annually.
About the Northbrook Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,099 | $23.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,166 | $26.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,649 | $30.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,858 | $35.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,931 | $41.31 |
Median Salary Position
4.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Northbrook
In Northbrook, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,832 (2026 est.). At $62,649, the local median is 4.23% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Northbrook: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Northbrook Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Northbrook median: $62,649/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Northbrook Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,539 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.23% less |
Athletic Trainers in Northbrook, IL earn a median of $62,649 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.23% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $63,539.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Northbrook 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.
Northbrook, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,649 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,520 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,392
2025 BLS Actual
$59,877
2026 Current Est.
$62,649
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Northbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,392 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,752 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,373 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,564 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,481 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,548 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,877 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,649 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,550 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Northbrook metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,392 (2019) to $59,877 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,550 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,158 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Northbrook 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) | $49,099 – $55,166 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,166 – $62,649 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,649 – $73,858 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,858 – $85,931 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Northbrook
The local job market for athletic trainers in Northbrook consists of around eight professionals currently employed in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, living expenses in Northbrook are slightly below the national average, which impacts the purchasing power of athletic trainer salaries. Among local employers, secondary schools generally offer lower pay compared to colleges and universities, with professional sports teams or industrial settings, such as those supporting companies like Toyota and FedEx, typically providing the highest salaries. The pay disparity in the area can be attributed to various factors, including contract types, the responsibilities of head versus assistant roles, and additional certifications that enhance earning potential. Those seeking to maximize their salaries in Northbrook should consider pursuing certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT, as well as exploring positions that involve evening or weekend events, which often come with stipends.
More salary data for Northbrook, 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 $59,877 for athletic trainersin the Northbrook 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 Northbrook 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