Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Fremont, NE: $44,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Fremont, NE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $44,001 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fremont's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $48,089 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($58,080) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the athletic training field in Fremont, Nebraska, can expect a starting athletic trainer salary Fremont of around $44,001 in 2026. This entry-level pay is notably lower than the city median of $58,080, highlighting a substantial gap that recent grads may need to navigate. Over the next three to five years, with experience and skill development, new athletic trainers have the potential to see their salaries grow significantly, reaching the first quartile pay of $52,224 and eventually bridging the gap to the median. Fremont presents itself as a reasonable job market for new grads due to its community offerings and upcoming growth projections of 4.63% annually, which suggests increased demand for skilled professionals in this field.
About the Fremont Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fremont
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 Fremont
Entry-level athletic trainers in Fremont, NE typically start between $44,001 and $52,224 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $37,528 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $58,080 — 11.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Nebraska of $48,000 represents just 109.09% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($44,001/year) in Fremont. 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 Fremont
- 1Research the Fremont market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $44,001 to $52,224, 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 NE often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Fremont, 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 Fremont for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fremont's below-average 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 Fremont is $37,528 ( 85.29%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $44,001, experienced hygienists can earn up to $81,529.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,320
2025 BLS Actual
$42,054
2026 Current Est.
$44,001
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Fremont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,787 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,261 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,626 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,147 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,054 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,038 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Fremont, NE grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,320 in 2019 to $42,054 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $46,038. New graduates entering the Fremont job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fremont 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 Fremont
In Fremont, employers seeking to hire entry-level athletic trainers are predominantly local high schools and community colleges, which often manage their athletic training services through collaborations with nearby hospital sports medicine programs. For industrial settings, there are opportunities through specialty staffing firms, where starting pay is typically higher than traditional school roles. To boost new grad athletic trainer pay NE, candidates should focus on obtaining a Master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program, successfully passing the BOC national exam to earn the ATC credential, and obtaining their state AT license or registration. Continuing education and optional specialty certifications can further enhance marketability. In this evolving arena, first-year salaries might hover slightly below the median, but with the right strategy and focus on industrial roles, it's not uncommon for athletic trainers to experience salary increases of 10 to 20 percent within the first three years.
More salary data for Fremont, NE:
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 Fremont. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fremont 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