Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $29.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Rapid City, SD runs $29.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,408 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,849 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rapid City, South Dakota, the athletic trainer hourly pay is projected to be $29.53 in 2026, slightly lower than the national hourly median of $31.45. This rate offers insight into the compensation landscape for various professional settings, including high schools, colleges, and outpatient clinics. Part-time athletic trainers working three days a week can earn a competitive wage based on this hourly rate. The estimated hourly range stretches from approximately $22.70 for entry-level positions to about $42.11 for highly experienced professionals, which reflects the diverse earning potential within this field. Entry-level positions will likely find themselves in local high school training rooms or community clinics, while seasoned trainers might work with collegiate or professional sports teams.
About the Rapid City Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.70 | $181.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.78 | $206.25 |
| Median (P50) | $29.53 | $236.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.49 | $283.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.11 | $336.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $29.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.53/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $61,415 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,432. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,181.06 | $5,118 | $61,415 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $708.64 | $3,071 | $36,849 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $472.43 | $2,047 | $24,566 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Rapid City) | $29.53 |
| 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 Rapid City, SD earn a median of $61,408 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.20% above the South Dakota state average of $60,680.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.53/hr = $36,849/year (purchasing power: $39,708).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,415/year (purchasing power: $66,180).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Rapid City grew 29.1% from $21.86/hr (2019) to $28.22/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.89/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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City
When examining the annual take-home pay for part-time athletic trainers working 24 hours a week compared to full-time roles, a distinct earning pattern emerges. For instance, per diem athletic trainers in Rapid City might see event coverage rates between $200 and $500 per game, while industrial settings can offer contractors between $50 and $80 an hour. Colleges and universities often provide competitive stipends for bowl game coverage, ranging from $200 to $1,000. However, many trainers choose jobs in secondary schools and clinics that typically pay less but offer health benefits, making the choice a balancing act between hourly pay and overall compensation. Given the growing emphasis on occupational health, trainers may negotiate their hourly rates based on specific employer types or settings. With the shift toward a master's degree as the standard credential since 2022, understanding these dynamics can greatly impact one’s career trajectory in the athletic training field within Rapid City, SD.
More salary data for Rapid City, 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
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 Rapid City. 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 Rapid City 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