Athletic Trainer Salary in Junction City, KS: $56,075 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Junction City, KS earns a median $56,075/year (≈ $26.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Junction City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $61,689 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Junction City, Kansas, the athletic trainer salary in Junction City is projected to reach $56,075 in 2026. This figure is competitively lower than the national median of $65,415, reflecting a regional compensation structure impacted by the community's specific economic conditions. The salary range for athletic trainers locally varies from $44,113 at the 10th percentile to $76,449 at the 90th percentile, indicating opportunities for pay growth depending on experience and setting. These estimates draw on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, which is indexed at 90.9, revealing that living expenses are below the national average. For professionals considering their career options, the educational landscape blended with industry demands suggests a unique market for athletic trainers in Junction City, especially when weighing school-year contracts against year-round positions.
About the Junction City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,113 | $21.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,686 | $25.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,075 | $26.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,304 | $31.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,449 | $36.76 |
Median Salary Position
14.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Junction City
In Junction City, KS, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,336 (2026 est.). At $56,075, the local median is 14.28% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Junction City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Junction City Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Junction City median: $56,075/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Junction City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $59,465 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -14.28% less |
Athletic Trainers in Junction City, KS earn a median of $56,075 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.28% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 5.70% below the Kansas state average of $59,465.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Junction 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.
Junction City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $56,075 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,689 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,524
2025 BLS Actual
$53,594
2026 Current Est.
$56,075
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Junction City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,524 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,741 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,507 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,153 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,659 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,576 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,594 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,075 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,672 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Junction City metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,524 (2019) to $53,594 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,672 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,148 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Junction 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) | $44,113 – $52,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,686 – $56,075 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,075 – $66,304 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,304 – $76,449 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Junction City
The job market for athletic trainers in Junction City is relatively modest, with only six professionals currently employed in this field, which may influence competition and salary negotiations. Given the cost-of-living index, professionals may find their take-home pay offers decent purchasing power, though it remains critical to consider the type of employer when evaluating potential earnings. Secondary schools typically offer lower compensation compared to college programs (NCAA) and industrial health roles, which may provide greater financial rewards, especially at facilities such as Toyota and FedEx. The variance in salary is often driven by the specific work environment—those in professional sports may earn significantly more than their peers in educational settings. To maximize earnings, aspiring athletic trainers in Junction City should seek positions that require advanced certifications or consider taking on additional responsibilities, like head athletic trainer roles or providing services outside of traditional hours. Ultimately, understanding the local employment landscape and strategic positioning can greatly affect how much do athletic trainers make in Junction City.
More salary data for Junction 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 $53,594 for athletic trainersin the Junction 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 Junction 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