Athletic Trainer Salary in Fort Dodge, IA: $54,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Fort Dodge, IA earns a median $54,281/year (≈ $26.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Fort Dodge's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $60,045 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Fort Dodge, Iowa, can expect to see a median salary of $54,281, a figure that highlights the trade-offs between school-year contracts and year-round roles in industrial settings. With a salary range that stretches from $44,793 at the 10th percentile to $71,276 at the 90th percentile, there is noticeable variation depending on the place of employment and experience level. These estimates, derived from state-level data and local cost adjustments, illustrate how the position appeals to those within educational institutions versus industries that may offer more lucrative opportunities, such as occupational health in manufacturing environments.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,793 | $21.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,205 | $23.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,281 | $26.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,607 | $30.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,276 | $34.27 |
Median Salary Position
17.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge, IA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,483 (2026 est.). At $54,281, the local median is 17.02% below the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Dodge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Dodge Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Fort Dodge median: $54,281/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Dodge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,130 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -17.02% less |
Athletic Trainers in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $54,281 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.02% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $59,130.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Dodge has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Dodge, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $54,281 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,045 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,195
2025 BLS Actual
$51,879
2026 Current Est.
$54,281
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,195 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,374 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,179 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,676 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,879 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,794 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Dodge metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $40,195 (2019) to $51,879 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,794 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,599 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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) | $44,793 – $49,205 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,205 – $54,281 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,281 – $63,607 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,607 – $71,276 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Fort Dodge
The job market for athletic trainers in Fort Dodge is relatively small, with only four professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index for Fort Dodge stands at 90.4, providing a somewhat favorable environment for take-home pay compared to national averages. Employers range from secondary schools, which typically pay less, to industrial health settings like Toyota and FedEx, potentially offering higher salaries. The variation in athletic trainer pay in Fort Dodge often stems from the settings they work in, with year-round commitments in industrial settings generally paying more than positions in high schools. For those looking to maximize earnings, obtaining certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT, aiming for leadership roles, and gravitating towards industrial or outpatient clinics are effective strategies in this local market.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, IA:
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 $51,879 for athletic trainersin the Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge 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