Athletic Trainer Salary in Rock Island, IL: $54,640 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Rock Island, IL earns a median $54,640/year (≈ $26.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Rock Island's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $56,272 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual pay of $54,640 for athletic trainers in Rock Island, Illinois, local professionals find themselves earning considerably less than the national average of $65,415, creating a notable gap in compensation. The salary range for athletic trainers in this area spans from $41,538 at the 10th percentile to $73,367 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse work environments and expertise levels within the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reveal that athletic trainers employed in industrial settings may benefit from higher wages compared to their counterparts in educational institutions, further highlighting the variations within this profession. In Rock Island, job outlooks appear stable, yet they demand a keen understanding of the specific market dynamics influencing athletic trainer compensation.
About the Rock Island Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,538 | $19.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,452 | $24.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,640 | $26.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,497 | $30.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,367 | $35.27 |
Median Salary Position
16.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Island
In Rock Island, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,829 (2026 est.). At $54,640, the local median is 16.47% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rock Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rock Island Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Rock Island median: $54,640/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,535 | -14.00% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -16.47% less |
Athletic Trainers in Rock Island, IL earn a median of $54,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.47% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 14.00% below the Illinois state average of $63,535.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Island 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.
Rock Island, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $54,640 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,272 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,461
2025 BLS Actual
$52,222
2026 Current Est.
$54,640
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Rock Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,461 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,647 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,444 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,972 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,388 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,736 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,222 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,640 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,170 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Island metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $40,461 (2019) to $52,222 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,170 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,709 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Island 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) | $41,538 – $50,452 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,452 – $54,640 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,640 – $63,497 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,497 – $73,367 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Rock Island
In the regional marketplace, only five athletic trainers are currently employed in Rock Island, IL, showcasing a relatively tight job market for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, trainers may find their purchasing power slightly diminished compared to national standards. Interestingly, the highest-paying opportunities may arise in occupational health settings, such as those at Toyota or FedEx, where athletic trainers can earn higher wages due to the nature of their roles. The significant difference in pay often correlates with employment settings—athletic trainers in professional sports typically command higher salaries than those working at high schools. Factors such as head versus assistant positions and additional certifications can further influence earning potential. Aspiring athletic trainers in Rock Island should seek roles that not only offer competitive salaries but also year-round contracts and stipends for evening events, tapping into the industrial market for the most lucrative opportunities.
More salary data for Rock Island, 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 $52,222 for athletic trainersin the Rock Island 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 Rock Island 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