Athletic Trainer Salary in Dodge City, KS: $56,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Dodge City, KS earns a median $56,255/year (≈ $27.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Dodge City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $61,887 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Dodge City, Kansas, find their median annual salary at $56,255, which falls significantly below the national average of $65,415. The local salary range stretches from $44,934 at the 10th percentile to $76,234 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various opportunities and contract types available in the area. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate that athletic trainer pay in Dodge City is closely tied to the differences in employment settings, contrasting school-year contracts typical for secondary institutions with year-round roles often found in industrial environments. This salary structure creates a unique market context for professionals navigating the local job scene.
About the Dodge City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,934 | $21.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,118 | $24.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,255 | $27.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,629 | $31.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,234 | $36.65 |
Median Salary Position
14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dodge City
In Dodge City, KS, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,300 (2026 est.). At $56,255, the local median is 14% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dodge City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dodge City Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Dodge City median: $56,255/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dodge City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $59,467 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -14.00% less |
Athletic Trainers in Dodge City, KS earn a median of $56,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.00% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 5.40% below the Kansas state average of $59,467.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dodge City has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dodge City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $56,255 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,887 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,657
2025 BLS Actual
$53,766
2026 Current Est.
$56,255
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Dodge City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,657 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,879 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,819 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,718 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,766 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,860 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dodge City metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,657 (2019) to $53,766 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,860 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,203 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dodge 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) | $44,934 – $50,118 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,118 – $56,255 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,255 – $65,629 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,629 – $76,234 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Dodge City
The job market for athletic trainers in Dodge City features only five individuals currently employed in this field. Given the cost of living index of 90.9, the buying power for those in the profession is somewhat favorable compared to larger cities. Employment opportunities are typically concentrated in high schools, colleges, outpatient clinics, and industrial settings like those with Toyota and FedEx. General trends show that trainers in professional sports settings earn the most, followed by industrial health roles, while those working in educational institutions generally see lower compensation. The difference in pay often hinges on responsibilities, such as being a head athletic trainer versus an assistant, as well as potential stipends attached to evening or weekend events. For those looking to maximize their pay in Dodge City, obtaining additional certifications or pursuing roles that allow for year-round employment could prove beneficial in enhancing their salary prospects.
More salary data for Dodge City, KS:
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 $53,766 for athletic trainersin the Dodge 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 Dodge 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