Athletic Trainer Salary in Waukegan, IL: $63,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Waukegan, IL earns a median $63,610/year (≈ $30.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Waukegan's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $65,510 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Waukegan, IL, can anticipate a median annual salary reaching $63,610 in 2026, reflecting the balance between education-centered roles and opportunities in industrial settings. This salary range spans from $47,884 at the lower end (P10) to $93,477 at the high end (P90), showcasing the diversity of positions available. With estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to adjust for regional price variations, the job market in Waukegan presents a unique proposition. Positions that provide year-round contracts, particularly in industrial health, generally offer higher compensation compared to typical school-year contracts associated with high school athletic training.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,884 | $23.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,762 | $26.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,689 | $36.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,477 | $44.94 |
Median Salary Position
2.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,593 (2026 est.). At $63,610, the local median is 2.76% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukegan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukegan Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Waukegan median: $63,610/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukegan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,546 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -2.76% less |
Athletic Trainers in Waukegan, IL earn a median of $63,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.76% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $63,546.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukegan 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.
Waukegan, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,610 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,510 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,103
2025 BLS Actual
$60,795
2026 Current Est.
$63,610
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,103 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,484 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,084 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,354 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,332 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,399 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,795 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,555 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukegan metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $47,103 (2019) to $60,795 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,555 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,452 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukegan 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) | $47,884 – $54,762 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,762 – $63,610 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,610 – $75,689 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,689 – $93,477 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Waukegan
The local job market shows strength, with 18 athletic trainers currently employed in Waukegan. With a cost of living index sitting at 97.1, practitioners here may find their earning potential effectively enhanced, as lower living costs allow for more substantial take-home pay. Among various employers, professional sports organizations and industrial health settings tend to offer the highest pay in Waukegan. This disparity can be attributed to the nature of the roles, where settings like professional athletics pay a premium compared to school positions. Strategies for maximizing earnings could involve seeking leadership roles, remaining active in continuous education, or obtaining additional certifications that enhance marketability. As industrial roles generally yield 30-50% more than their counterparts in educational institutions, diversifying one's experience could also lead to increased compensation opportunities in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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 $60,795 for athletic trainersin the Waukegan 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 Waukegan 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