Athletic Trainer Salary in South Bend, IN: $59,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in South Bend, IN earns a median $59,943/year (≈ $28.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in South Bend's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $64,553 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in South Bend is projected to be around $59,943 annually, reflecting the unique trade-off between school-year contracts and year-round industrial positions. The salary range for athletic trainers in the area extends from $48,245 at the tenth percentile (P10) to $75,878 at the ninetieth percentile (P90). These figures stem from data gathered through official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. This figure presents an interesting contrast to the national median of $65,415, indicating that athletic trainer pay in South Bend IN is approximately 8.37% lower than the national average. With a 4.63% annual growth rate, the market in South Bend appears headed towards a gradual increase in compensation opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,245 | $23.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,245 | $23.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,943 | $28.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,731 | $33.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,878 | $36.48 |
Median Salary Position
8.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Bend
In South Bend, IN, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,633 (2026 est.). At $59,943, the local median is 8.37% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Bend: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Bend Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
South Bend median: $59,943/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $66,308 | -9.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -8.37% less |
Athletic Trainers in South Bend, IN earn a median of $59,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.37% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 9.60% below the Indiana state average of $66,308.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Bend has a cost of living 7.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Bend, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.858 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $59,943 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,553 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.69% 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
$52,820
2025 BLS Actual
$57,290
2026 Current Est.
$59,943
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,084 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,873 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,718 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Bend metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 8.5% from $52,820 (2019) to $57,290 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,718 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,898 (18.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Bend 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) | $48,245 – $48,245 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,245 – $59,943 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,943 – $68,731 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,731 – $75,878 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in South Bend
The local job market shows that around 50 athletic trainers are currently employed in South Bend, revealing the area's capacity for growth in this profession. The cost of living index for South Bend stands at 92.858, indicating that it is more affordable compared to the national average. This affects the take-home purchasing power for athletic trainers, making competitive salaries even more relevant when evaluating job offers. Secondary schools provide entry-level positions with salaries often on the lower end, while colleges and universities within the NCAA context tend to provide better compensation. Industrial settings, like those offered by companies such as Toyota or FedEx, typically offer the highest pay. Factors that drive the salary variations include the role's setting, the differences in contracting models (school vs. industrial), and additional certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT. To maximize pay in this South Bend market, aspiring athletic trainers should seek roles in higher-paying sectors, consider obtaining advanced certifications, and be open to year-round positions that provide additional financial incentives.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in South Bend, IN in 2026?
Is South Bend, IN a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in South Bend?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in South Bend?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in South Bend?
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 $57,290 for athletic trainersin the South Bend 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, 6-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