Athletic Trainer Salary in Mason City, IA: $55,986 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Mason City, IA earns a median $55,986/year (≈ $26.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $61,931 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mason City, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers stands at $55,986 in 2026, representing a significant difference compared to the national figure of $65,415. Salaries in the area range from $44,786 at the lower end to $75,949 for those in the highest brackets. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price factors, highlight a notable pay gap often experienced in environments focusing on industrial settings compared to traditional sports. While roles may vary in context, these regional trends in compensation provide insight into the job market and the value placed on athletic trainers in both schools and industrial jobs in Mason City.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,786 | $21.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,927 | $24.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,986 | $26.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,363 | $31.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,949 | $36.52 |
Median Salary Position
14.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,163 (2026 est.). At $55,986, the local median is 14.41% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mason City Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Mason City median: $55,986/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,120 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -14.41% less |
Athletic Trainers in Mason City, IA earn a median of $55,986 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.41% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $59,120.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City 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.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $55,986 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,931 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,458
2025 BLS Actual
$53,509
2026 Current Est.
$55,986
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,458 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,674 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,441 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,581 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,505 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,509 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,986 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,579 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,458 (2019) to $53,509 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,579 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,121 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,786 – $49,927 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,927 – $55,986 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,986 – $65,363 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,363 – $75,949 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Mason City
The job market for athletic trainers in Mason City appears stable, with four professionals currently employed in the area. Despite a low cost-of-living index of 90.4, which enhances the purchasing power of take-home salaries, compensation for athletic trainers remains competitive but is still lower compared to national averages. The highest salaries often come from partnerships with colleges, universities, or specialized roles in industrial health sectors, where employers such as Toyota and FedEx operate. Factors influencing salary disparities include the setting of the role—with positions in professional sports typically commanding higher pay—and whether the contracts are year-round or seasonal. Maximizing earnings in Mason City may involve seeking certifications that complement athletic training, pursuing roles in industrial settings, and negotiating for stipends related to evening or weekend events, as these can significantly enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Mason City, 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 $53,509 for athletic trainersin the Mason City 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 Mason 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