Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $50,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Sioux Falls, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $50,704 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 90.6 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,946 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,334) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field of athletic training in Sioux Falls, SD, the expected starting athletic trainer salary aligns closely with the local job market dynamics. As of 2026, entry-level athletic trainers can anticipate a salary around $50,704, which may seem modest compared to the median annual salary of $61,334 for the region. This gap highlights the realistic earning potential for recent graduates, especially within the first few years of their careers. Over a period of 3-5 years, entry-level trainers can gradually progress towards higher earnings, reflecting the anticipated growth trajectory of 4.63% annually. With a competitive starting pay in a market that values health and wellness, Sioux Falls offers an encouraging landscape for new grad athletic trainer pay SD.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux Falls
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 Sioux Falls
Entry-level athletic trainers in Sioux Falls, SD typically start between $50,704 and $61,334 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $17,306 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,334 — 6.24% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in South Dakota of $48,000 represents just 94.67% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($50,704/year) in Sioux Falls. 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 Sioux Falls
- 1Research the Sioux Falls market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $50,704 to $61,334, 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 SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux Falls'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 Sioux Falls is $17,306 ( 34.13%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $50,704, experienced hygienists can earn up to $68,010.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,530
2025 BLS Actual
$48,460
2026 Current Est.
$50,704
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,051 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux Falls, SD grew 36.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,530 in 2019 to $48,460 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $53,051. New graduates entering the Sioux Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, numerous employers seek out new graduates to fill athletic trainer positions, particularly in high school and collegiate sports settings. Many of these roles are often associated with hospital sports medicine programs, which may have a vested interest in mentoring young professionals. While collegiate positions can be more selective, emphasizing experience through graduate assistantships or internships, opportunities in industrial settings are burgeoning. Facilities such as factories and distribution centers tend to offer starting salaries that are 30-50% higher than traditional athletic training roles, making them an attractive option for those willing to venture into occupational health. To enhance starting pay, credentials such as the ATC designation from the BOC, a state license, and potential specialty certifications can significantly benefit new hires. As a result, during their first years, athletic trainers in Sioux Falls who actively seek further education and targeted experience may find their salaries rise steadily as they build experience in this evolving profession.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
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 Sioux Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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