Athletic Trainer Salary in Thornton, CO: $69,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Thornton, CO earns a median $69,763/year (≈ $33.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Thornton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $66,441 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the prospects for athletic trainers in Thornton, Colorado, project a median annual salary of $69,763, showing a promising increase compared to the national figure of $65,415, indicating a competitive market. The local salary range spans from $50,839 at the 10th percentile to $103,546 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a robust diversity in compensation opportunities. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living factors, highlight how the transition to requiring a master's degree in athletic training since 2022 has reshaped entry compensation levels. This evolution suggests a growing recognition of the expertise and advanced training required in the profession, which is critical in Thornton’s job market.
About the Thornton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,839 | $24.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,978 | $28.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,763 | $33.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,130 | $41.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,546 | $49.78 |
Median Salary Position
6.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thornton
In Thornton, CO, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,707 (2026 est.). At $69,763, the local median is 6.65% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thornton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thornton Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Thornton median: $69,763/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thornton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $68,664 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +6.65% more |
Athletic Trainers in Thornton, CO earn a median of $69,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.65% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $68,664.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thornton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thornton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,763 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,441 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,660
2025 BLS Actual
$66,676
2026 Current Est.
$69,763
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Thornton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,174 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,639 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,419 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,781 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,856 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,676 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,993 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thornton metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $51,660 (2019) to $66,676 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,993 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,333 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thornton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,839 – $58,978 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,978 – $69,763 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,763 – $86,130 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,130 – $103,546 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Thornton
With only 34 athletic trainers currently employed in Thornton, the job market remains tight, impacting local salary dynamics. The cost-of-living index of 105 places Thornton slightly above the national average, which can eat into take-home pay despite higher salaries. Among the various employers, settings such as professional sports teams and outpatient clinics often offer the highest compensation. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors like the types of contracts available—year-round versus school year—and the level of responsibility, such as head trainer versus assistant roles. Additionally, qualifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT can substantially affect earnings potential. For those navigating this market, pursuing employment in industrial or occupational health settings may yield salaries that exceed traditional school roles by 30-50%, making it a strategic choice for maximizing athletic trainer pay in Thornton, CO.
More salary data for Thornton, CO:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $66,676 for athletic trainersin the Thornton metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Thornton 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