Athletic Trainer Salary in Wheat Ridge, CO: $66,090 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Wheat Ridge, CO earns a median $66,090/year (≈ $31.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Wheat Ridge's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $62,943 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheat Ridge, Colorado, the median annual salary for athletic trainers is projected to reach $66,090 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $65,415. Earnings for professionals in this role vary significantly, ranging from $54,603 at the lower end (P10) to $91,695 at the top (P90), reflecting the diverse environments in which trainers may work. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost differences, indicate that athletic trainers in Wheat Ridge can benefit from local factors influencing their compensation. Given the city's competitive job market, athletic trainers seeking year-round positions in industrial settings might find greater financial rewards compared to those employed on school-year contracts at secondary institutions.
About the Wheat Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,603 | $26.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,219 | $28.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,090 | $31.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,401 | $37.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,695 | $44.08 |
Median Salary Position
1.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheat Ridge
In Wheat Ridge, CO, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,092 (2026 est.). At $66,090, the local median is 1.03% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheat Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheat Ridge Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Wheat Ridge median: $66,090/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheat Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $68,700 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +1.03% more |
Athletic Trainers in Wheat Ridge, CO earn a median of $66,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.03% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 3.80% below the Colorado state average of $68,700.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheat Ridge has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheat Ridge, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,090 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,943 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,940
2025 BLS Actual
$63,165
2026 Current Est.
$66,090
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Wheat Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,374 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,395 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,528 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,598 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,165 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,090 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,149 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheat Ridge metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $48,940 (2019) to $63,165 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,149 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,209 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheat Ridge 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) | $54,603 – $60,219 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,219 – $66,090 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,090 – $78,401 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,401 – $91,695 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Wheat Ridge
With only eight athletic trainers currently employed in Wheat Ridge, the job market remains relatively small yet promising. The cost-of-living index stands at 105, indicating that living expenses are somewhat higher than the national average, which necessitates a careful approach to budgeting one's salary; this reality emphasizes the importance of securing positions that align with higher pay scales. Among local employers, opportunities abound in secondary schools, colleges and universities, industrial health settings with companies like Toyota and Boeing, and outpatient clinics. Pay disparities can be influenced by various factors, including the type of setting—professional sports roles generally compensate more than educational or industrial positions—as well as the nature of the contract, specific roles (like head vs. assistant trainer), and additional responsibilities such as evening or weekend event coverage. Athletic trainers in Wheat Ridge looking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing certifications, such as the CSCS or OCS-AT, which can enhance their marketability and justify higher pay.
More salary data for Wheat Ridge, 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 $63,165 for athletic trainersin the Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge 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