Athletic Trainer Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $62,223 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $62,223/year (≈ $29.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $65,124 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, athletic trainers can expect a median annual salary of $62,223 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $65,415. This local salary reflects a range from $51,520 at the bottom 10th percentile to $72,707 at the 90th percentile, according to data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. The city's salary outlook for athletic trainers highlights a notable disparity between those employed in traditional venues like schools and those in industrial settings, with the latter often offering higher compensation due to the specialized nature of workplace health needs. Grand Rapids presents both opportunities and challenges for athletic trainers as the job market adjusts to the evolving skill demands following the transition to a master's degree requirement in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,520 | $24.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,209 | $26.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,223 | $29.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,346 | $31.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,707 | $34.96 |
Median Salary Position
4.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,187 (2026 est.). At $62,223, the local median is 4.88% below the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be above the median
How Grand Rapids Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $62,223/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $60,944 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.88% less |
Athletic Trainers in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $62,223 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.88% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.10% above the Michigan state average of $60,944.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,223 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,124 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,040
2025 BLS Actual
$59,470
2026 Current Est.
$62,223
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,223 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,104 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 26.4% from $47,040 (2019) to $59,470 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,104 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,064 (38.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $51,520 – $54,209 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,209 – $62,223 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,223 – $66,346 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,346 – $72,707 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Grand Rapids
In total, approximately 120 athletic trainers are currently employed in Grand Rapids, MI. This number signifies a stable local job market for aspiring professionals entering the field. While the cost of living index sits at 95.546, suggesting that living expenses may be lower than the national average, this can positively impact take-home purchasing power. Employers such as colleges and universities along with industrial health providers typically offer the most competitive salaries, particularly in occupational settings where experienced trainers can earn significantly more. The variance in athletic trainer pay in Grand Rapids is influenced by multiple factors, including training settings, head vs. assistant roles, and specific certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles in higher-paying industrial environments, or negotiating contracts that include stipends for extra events is essential.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
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 $59,470 for athletic trainersin the Grand Rapids 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