Athletic Trainer Salary in Wheaton, IL: $62,427 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Wheaton, IL earns a median $62,427/year (≈ $30.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Wheaton's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,291 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheaton, Illinois, the athletic trainer salary is projected to be $62,427 for 2026, reflecting the shift in the profession towards requiring a master's degree as of 2022. This change has influenced starting compensation levels, with a salary range from $50,110 at the 10th percentile to $89,393 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors that influence earnings in Wheaton. Although the compensation is slightly below the national median of $65,415, the local market offers unique opportunities that can affect overall career trajectory and financial outcomes for those in the field.
About the Wheaton Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,110 | $24.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,083 | $26.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,427 | $30.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,254 | $36.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,393 | $42.98 |
Median Salary Position
4.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheaton
In Wheaton, IL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,283 (2026 est.). At $62,427, the local median is 4.57% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheaton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheaton Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Wheaton median: $62,427/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheaton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,507 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.57% less |
Athletic Trainers in Wheaton, IL earn a median of $62,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.57% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $63,507.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheaton 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.
Wheaton, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,427 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,291 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,228
2025 BLS Actual
$59,665
2026 Current Est.
$62,427
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,228 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,583 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,209 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,381 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,285 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,351 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,665 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,427 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,318 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheaton metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,228 (2019) to $59,665 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,318 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,090 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheaton 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) | $50,110 – $56,083 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,083 – $62,427 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,427 – $75,254 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,254 – $89,393 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Wheaton
The job market for athletic trainers in Wheaton is relatively modest, with only 14 professionals currently employed in this area. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, indicating that while salaries may be below the national average, the purchasing power remains more competitive in the local context. Employers who typically offer the highest athletic trainer pay in Wheaton include NCAA colleges and universities, as well as industrial settings such as Toyota and FedEx, which financially support positions focused on occupational health. The disparity in earnings often stems from varied contract structures, with professional sports roles generally offering the highest compensation, compared to school-based athletic training positions that come with limitations on hours and stipends. To maximize earnings in Wheaton, aspiring athletic trainers can seek certifications that add value, pursue roles in higher-paying industrial environments, and negotiate for additional responsibilities that enhance their pay potential.
More salary data for Wheaton, 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 $59,665 for athletic trainersin the Wheaton 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 Wheaton 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