Athletic Trainer Salary

Houston vs Round Rock: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Houston, TX and Round Rock, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$75,491
$36.30/hr
Round Rock, TX
$67,590
$32.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXRound Rock, TX
Median Salary$75,491$67,590
Hourly Rate$36.30$32.50
Entry Level (P10)$63,186$49,331
25th Percentile$63,197$57,249
75th Percentile$90,536$83,480
Top Earner (P90)$112,979$100,464
Total Employed48026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($75,491) and Round Rock ($67,590) athletic trainer salaries.HoustonRound RockMedian Salary$75,491$67,590Entry Level (P10)$63,186$49,331Top Earner (P90)$112,979$100,464US Median $65,415

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Round Rock.

The salary gap between Houston and Round Rock is $7,901 (11.69%). Houston's median is +15.40% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $49,793,Round Rock spans $51,133. Round Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$63,186
P25$63,197
Median$75,491
P75$90,536
P90 (Top)$112,979
Round Rock
P10 (Entry)$49,331
P25$57,249
Median$67,590
P75$83,480
P90 (Top)$100,464

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($76,540 effective) pays 8.71% more than Round Rock ($70,406 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $75,491
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $76,540
Round Rock
Nominal: $67,590
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $70,406

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,491/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($112,979)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,540)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Round Rock if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Houston grew -9.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.7% growth in Round Rock over the same period.

Houston, TX

+-9.6%

$79,810 (2019) → $72,150 (2025)

Round Rock, TX

+6.7%

$60,536 (2024) → $64,599 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Houston or Round Rock?

Houston has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $75,491/year, compared to Round Rock at $67,590/year — a difference of $7,901 (11.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Round Rock?

Houston athletic trainers earn $36.30/hr while Round Rock hygienists earn $32.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Round Rock as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Round Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $76,540, Round Rock = $70,406), job availability (480 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Houston vs Round Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $63,186 in Houston and $49,331 in Round Rock. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gomez, MS, ATCData verified by David Kim, BS, ATC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov