Athletic Trainer Salary in Indianapolis, IN: $66,304 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Indianapolis, IN earns a median $66,304/year (≈ $31.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Indianapolis's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $69,286 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Indianapolis is projected to reach $66,304, positioning it slightly above the national median of $65,415. Salaries within the city will vary significantly, ranging from $53,989 at the lower end to $80,230 at the upper echelon. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the viable earning potential for athletic trainers in Indianapolis. Those in the field must weigh the benefits of contracts commonly associated with school year roles against those of year-round positions typically found in industrial or occupational settings, which tend to offer higher pay and more consistent hours.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,989 | $25.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,469 | $30.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,304 | $31.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,341 | $38.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,230 | $38.58 |
Median Salary Position
1.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, IN, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,241 (2026 est.). At $66,304, the local median is 1.36% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Indianapolis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Indianapolis Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Indianapolis median: $66,304/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indianapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,415 | +1.36% more |
Athletic Trainers in Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $66,304 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.36% higher than the national median of $65,415.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indianapolis has a cost of living 4.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indianapolis, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.696 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $66,304 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,286 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.5% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$46,960
2025 BLS Actual
$63,370
2026 Current Est.
$66,304
2019–2027 Growth
+47.7%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,304 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,374 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indianapolis metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 34.9% from $46,960 (2019) to $63,370 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,374 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,414 (47.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indianapolis 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) | $53,989 – $63,469 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,469 – $66,304 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,304 – $79,341 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,341 – $80,230 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Indianapolis
Employing around 430 athletic trainers, Indianapolis boasts a robust job market for these professionals. The cost of living index at 95.696 compared to the national average of 100 suggests that while salaries may appear competitive, purchasing power remains a key consideration for trainers. Optimal earning potential is often found within collegiate settings (NCAA), professional sports franchises, and industrial health environments such as Toyota and FedEx, where pay can be significantly higher. Factors contributing to pay disparities include contract duration (spanning school-year versus full-year), variations in job roles from head athletic trainer to assistants, and the presence of stipends for additional duties. For those looking to maximize their salary, pursuing advanced certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT, coupled with experience in high-demand settings, can be beneficial strategies in the Indianapolis market.
More salary data for Indianapolis, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Indianapolis, IN in 2026?
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Indianapolis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Indianapolis?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in Indianapolis?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 $63,370 for athletic trainersin the Indianapolis 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, 7-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