Athletic Trainer Salary in Fort Wayne, IN: $66,314 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Fort Wayne, IN earns a median $66,314/year (≈ $31.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Fort Wayne's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $71,635 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is set at $66,314, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national median of $65,415. This figure denotes a salary range that extends from $51,269 at the 10th percentile to $81,120 at the 90th percentile. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, these estimates reflect the city's diverse athletic training landscape, especially the substantial pay gap between clinical roles in traditional sports settings and more lucrative positions in industrial or occupational health environments. As Fort Wayne's health-based employment opportunities grow, the local job market for athletic trainers offers prospects that make it an attractive place for practitioners in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,269 | $24.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,702 | $25.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,314 | $31.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,633 | $32.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,120 | $39.00 |
Median Salary Position
1.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Wayne
In Fort Wayne, IN, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,851 (2026 est.). At $66,314, the local median is 1.37% above the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Wayne: You'd be above the median
How Fort Wayne Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Fort Wayne median: $66,314/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,415 | +1.37% more |
Athletic Trainers in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $66,314 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.37% higher than the national median of $65,415.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Wayne has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Wayne, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.572 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $66,314 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,635 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,106
2025 BLS Actual
$63,380
2026 Current Est.
$66,314
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,106 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,546 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,086 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,314 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,385 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Wayne metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $49,106 (2019) to $63,380 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,385 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,279 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Wayne 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) | $51,269 – $52,702 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,702 – $66,314 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,314 – $67,633 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,633 – $81,120 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Fort Wayne
The job market in Fort Wayne supports approximately 100 athletic trainers, creating a solid employment base in the region. With a cost of living index of 92.572, trainers can find their earnings stretch further compared to many other U.S. cities. Among the primary employers, industrial settings like Toyota and Boeing typically offer the highest salaries, followed by collegiate athletic programs and high school roles, which generally pay less. The discrepancy in pay stems from factors such as the significance of the work setting, the nature of contracts (year-round vs. school-year), and varying roles, such as head athletic trainers versus assistants. To maximize earning potential in Fort Wayne, aspiring trainers should consider acquiring specialized certifications, pursuing year-round positions, and seeking out opportunities in higher-paying industrial settings. The competitive landscape creates a unique environment where athletic trainers must navigate their career paths strategically to enhance their pay and professional development.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
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 $63,380 for athletic trainersin the Fort Wayne 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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