Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Missoula, MT: $40,009 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Missoula, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,009 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Missoula's local price level (BEA RPP 96.2 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $41,589 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($50,342) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates pursuing an athletic trainer career in Missoula, the entry-level salary can start at around $40,009 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the city's median annual income of $50,342. This gap illustrates the common financial adjustment many early-career athletic trainers face as they begin their professional journey. However, as new grads gain experience, they can expect a growth trajectory leading them towards the 25th percentile earning of $44,925 and, eventually, the median salary within their first few years in the field. Given the competitive growth rate of 4.63% annually for this profession, Missoula presents a promising market for athletic trainers seeking to establish themselves in the industry.
About the Missoula Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Missoula
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Missoula
Entry-level athletic trainers in Missoula, MT typically start between $40,009 and $44,925 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $31,578 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $50,342 — 23.04% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Montana of $48,000 represents just 119.97% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($40,009/year) in Missoula. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAATE-accredited Master of Science in Athletic Training programs. Tuition varies between public in-state and private institutions; the BOC certification exam is required after graduation for practice.
AT, ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Missoula
- 1Research the Missoula market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $40,009 to $44,925, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the athletic training field — employers in MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Missoula, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Missoula for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Missoula's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Athletic Trainer Compensation Range
The athletic trainer wage spread in Missoula is $31,578 ( 78.93%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,009, experienced hygienists can earn up to $71,587.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,842
2025 BLS Actual
$38,239
2026 Current Est.
$40,009
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,842 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,175 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,334 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,485 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,271 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,027 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,239 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,009 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,862 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Missoula, MT grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,842 in 2019 to $38,239 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,862. New graduates entering the Missoula job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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.
Starting Your athletic training Career in Missoula
In Missoula, several employers actively seek new graduate athletic trainers, particularly in high school athletic training services often affiliated with local hospital sports medicine programs. Additionally, industrial settings, such as factories and distribution centers, frequently recruit entry-level professionals and tend to offer starting salaries that are 30–50% higher than those available in traditional school roles. To enhance their earning potential, aspiring athletic trainers should focus on obtaining their Master's degree from a CAATE-accredited program and passing the BOC national exam to secure their ATC credential. Furthermore, practical experience through internships or assistant positions, coupled with advanced certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT, can provide a competitive edge. In a market like Missoula, new entrants into the discipline can typically expect gradual salary increases in their first three years, especially as they gain experience and credentialing within this evolving landscape of athletic training.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new athletic training graduates. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Missoula. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Missoula is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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