Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Cedar Falls, IA: $28.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Cedar Falls, IA runs $28.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,583 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Cedar Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,152 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $28.17, which is notably lower than the national rate of $31.45. For professionals in this field, this hourly income can significantly shape their work options, especially for those seeking part-time roles or per-diem opportunities. A typical part-time athletic trainer might work around three days per week, accumulating 24 hours, which can provide flexibility to balance other commitments. Entry-level trainers start with hourly earnings of about $21.44, while the highest earners can make up to $37.88 per hour. Most hourly estimates stem from annual salary data, influencing how athletic trainers negotiate their pay, whether they are employed in high school athletic training rooms, at collegiate facilities, or in industrial workplace clinics.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.44 | $171.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.04 | $208.34 |
| Median (P50) | $28.17 | $225.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.75 | $261.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.88 | $303.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Falls
Based on $28.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.17/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Falls, IA can expect to earn approximately $58,586 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,800. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,126.66 | $4,882 | $58,586 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $675.99 | $2,929 | $35,152 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $450.66 | $1,953 | $23,434 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Cedar Falls) | $28.17 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Athletic Trainers in Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $58,583 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.44% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.90% below the Iowa state average of $59,115.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.17/hr = $35,152/year (purchasing power: $38,885).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,586/year (purchasing power: $64,808).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Cedar Falls grew 29.1% from $20.86/hr (2019) to $26.92/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.47/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem athletic trainers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar 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.
Working as an Hourly Athletic Trainer in Cedar Falls
The earning potential for part-time athletic trainers in Cedar Falls reveals interesting dynamics, especially when considering the trade-offs of benefits and hourly wages. For instance, a part-time athletic trainer working 24 hours a week might earn around $35,247 annually, which is modest compared to full-time salaries. Per-diem assignments can offer lucrative opportunities, with compensation ranging from $200 to $500 per event for game coverage, while industrial settings often pay contractors between $50 and $80 per hour. College playoff coverage stipends can be even more appealing, offering $200 to $1,000 for a single game. Rates can differ based on the employer type, with secondary schools generally offering lower compensation than NCAA institutions or industrial employers like Toyota or FedEx. Athletic trainers may weigh the choice of accepting lower pay for the security of benefits against the allure of higher hourly rates without such perks. Effective negotiation strategies become crucial, particularly in a community like Cedar Falls, where understanding local market norms can lead to better compensation outcomes for athletic trainer hourly pay in IA.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Cedar Falls in 2026?
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Career Resources
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for athletic trainers in Cedar Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar Falls 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