Athletic Trainer Salary in Oak Park, IL: $63,056 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Oak Park, IL earns a median $63,056/year (≈ $30.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Oak Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,939 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Park, Illinois, the athletic trainer salary is projected to be $63,056 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $65,415. This figure reflects a range from $46,579 at the lower end (P10) to $87,549 at the higher end (P90), illustrating the variability in pay based on experience and location. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price factors indicate a stable market for professionals in this field. Athletic trainers in Oak Park face the unique challenge of balancing school-year contracts, typically associated with high school and college settings, against year-round opportunities found in industrial settings, which often offer more competitive salaries.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,579 | $22.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,404 | $27.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,056 | $30.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,365 | $35.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,549 | $42.09 |
Median Salary Position
3.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
In Oak Park, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,970 (2026 est.). At $63,056, the local median is 3.61% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Park Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Oak Park median: $63,056/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,501 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -3.61% less |
Athletic Trainers in Oak Park, IL earn a median of $63,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.61% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $63,501.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Park 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.
Oak Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,056 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,939 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,694
2025 BLS Actual
$60,266
2026 Current Est.
$63,056
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,694 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,674 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,899 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,841 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,909 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,266 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,056 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,976 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Park metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,694 (2019) to $60,266 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,976 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,282 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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) | $46,579 – $57,404 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,404 – $63,056 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,056 – $74,365 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,365 – $87,549 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Oak Park
Within the local job market, only 10 athletic trainers are currently employed in Oak Park, indicating limited competition but also a small overall pool of opportunities. The area's cost of living index stands at 97.1, which is slightly below the national average of 100, suggesting that while salaries may be lower in relation to the national scale, purchasing power is somewhat preserved. Secondary schools and outpatient clinics tend to be significant employers, though those seeking the highest pay might look toward industrial health settings or positions within professional sports, where the disparity in hourly rates can be significant due to contracted roles and specialized certifications, like CSCS or OCS-AT. To enhance earning potential in this market, athletic trainers should seek out diverse experiences, pursue additional certifications, and consider transitioning into year-round roles, which can often lead to increased take-home pay in Oak Park, IL.
More salary data for Oak Park, 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 $60,266 for athletic trainersin the Oak Park 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 Oak Park 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