Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $27.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $27.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,108 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,264 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, IA, athletic trainers can expect an hourly rate of $27.45 in 2026, which is below the national median of $31.45. This difference reflects the local job market dynamics and cost of living considerations. For part-time professionals working three days a week, which totals around 24 hours, this rate translates to a weekly income of approximately $658.80. Per-diem athletic trainers in this region can also find varied opportunities; typical work environments include high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and industrial workplace clinics. The hourly range for athletic trainers in Council Bluffs spans from $21.17 for entry-level positions to $38.37 for top earners. These figures indicate the potential for growth as trainers advance in their careers and tackle more complex roles in health and wellness.
About the Council Bluffs 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) | $21.17 | $169.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.10 | $192.77 |
| Median (P50) | $27.45 | $219.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.13 | $265.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.37 | $306.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $27.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.45/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $57,106 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,946. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,098.20 | $4,759 | $57,106 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $658.92 | $2,855 | $34,264 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $439.28 | $1,904 | $22,842 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Council Bluffs) | $27.45 |
| 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 Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $57,108 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.70% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $59,118.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.45/hr = $34,264/year (purchasing power: $37,902).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,106/year (purchasing power: $63,171).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Council Bluffs grew 29.1% from $20.33/hr (2019) to $26.24/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.73/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 Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs
Potential earnings on a part-time basis can vary significantly when comparing a three-day work week to full-time positions. Consistently working 24 hours a week on the median hourly rate results in an annual income much lower than a full-time trainer, whose earnings are typically higher due to increased hours and potential benefits. For per-diem positions, compensation can fluctuate depending on the type of event or work setting; for example, game coverage might pay between $200 and $500 per event, while industrial athletic trainers can charge $50 to $80 per hour in corporate environments. Variations in hourly pay are common across different employer types in Council Bluffs, with secondary schools generally offering lower rates compared to NCAA colleges, professional teams, and industrial health settings like Toyota or FedEx. In negotiations, athletic trainers should weigh the benefits of steady employment with health insurance against opportunities that offer higher hourly rates but lack these benefits. It's useful to be informed about local pay scales and demand to secure fair compensation within this evolving field.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Council Bluffs. 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 Council Bluffs 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