Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Liberal, KS: $26.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Liberal, KS runs $26.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,458 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Liberal's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,271 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Liberal, Kansas, earn a median hourly rate of $26.66, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.45. This discrepancy reflects the local labor market and cost of living dynamics. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly wage would translate to around $20,000 annually. Per-diem workers, who often take on roles in high schools, colleges, or clinics, typically have the flexibility to set their schedules, but compensation can vary significantly depending on the setting. With an hourly range from $22.63 for entry-level positions to approximately $36.78 for top earners, athletic trainers in Liberal can expect varied income levels depending on their experience and the specific employer type, emphasizing the need for an adaptable approach to hourly work.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.63 | $181.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.68 | $197.46 |
| Median (P50) | $26.66 | $213.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.15 | $241.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.78 | $294.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Liberal
Based on $26.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.66/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Liberal, KS can expect to earn approximately $55,452 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,992. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Liberal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Liberal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,066.39 | $4,621 | $55,452 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $639.83 | $2,773 | $33,271 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $426.56 | $1,848 | $22,181 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Liberal) | $26.66 |
| 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 Liberal, KS earn a median of $55,458 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $59,441.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.66/hr = $33,271/year (purchasing power: $36,602).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,452/year (purchasing power: $61,004).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Liberal grew 29.1% from $19.74/hr (2019) to $25.48/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.89/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 Liberal 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 Liberal
Within the scope of part-time employment, an athletic trainer working 24 hours a week at the Liberal rate would take home approximately $20,000 annually, significantly less than full-time colleagues. The per diem structure offers distinct financial prospects; for example, game coverage can yield $200-$500 per event, while industrial contracts typically bring in $50-$80 per hour for those working in factories like Toyota or FedEx. Higher compensation is generally associated with roles in collegiate athletics or professional sports, which might run stipends of $200 to $1,000 for specialized coverage during events. Factors like employer type also influence hourly rates, where secondary schools may present lower pay compared to the industrial sector. Athletic trainers should weigh the benefits of stable employment with health insurance against higher hourly wages that lack benefits. For those seeking jobs, negotiating based on local pay trends and demonstrating adaptability can be key to maximizing earnings in the athletic trainer hourly pay market in Liberal, KS.
More salary data for Liberal, KS:
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
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 Liberal. 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 Liberal 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