As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Athletic Trainer in Illinois is $61,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.
However, a Certified Athletic Trainer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Certified Athletic Trainer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $68,200 | $5,683 | $1,312 | $33 |
| Average | $61,000 | $5,083 | $1,173 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $1,038 | $26 |
Carle Health - Champaign, IL
Carle Health - Bloomington, IL
Carle Health - Champaign, IL
Hopedale Medical Complex - Hopedale, IL
A Certified Athletic Trainer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Athletic Trainer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Certified Athletic Trainer | $58,678 |
| Intermediate Level Certified Athletic Trainer | $58,885 |
| Senior Level Certified Athletic Trainer | $61,494 |
| Specialist Level Certified Athletic Trainer | $64,519 |
| Expert Level Certified Athletic Trainer | $64,735 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Certified Athletic Trainers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Certified Athletic Trainer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $64,787. While startup companies pay approximate $55,180.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $55,180 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $58,256 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $62,671 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $64,787 |
For Certified Athletic Trainer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Certified Athletic Trainer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Certified Athletic Trainer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $73,200 | $35.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Certified Athletic Trainer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $68,200 | $5,683 | $1,312 | $33 |
| Average | $61,000 | $5,083 | $1,173 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $1,038 | $26 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Certified Athletic Trainer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Exercise Physiologist | $68,900 | 13% |
| Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT) III | $124,800 | 105% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Certified Athletic Trainer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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