Athletic Trainer Salary in Salina, KS: $57,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Salina, KS earns a median $57,538/year (≈ $27.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Salina's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $63,298 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Salina, Kansas, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $57,538, which falls short of the national median of $65,415 by about 12.04%. This variation in compensation can largely be attributed to Salina's employment landscape, where industrial and occupational health settings often provide higher pay than traditional sports roles. The local salary range for athletic trainers in this area spans from $48,070 at the lower tenth percentile to $76,910 at the ninety percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, adjusted for cost of living indices, making them reflective of the economic context in Salina. Understanding these dynamics is essential for new graduates entering this evolving field as they consider their career paths and earning potential.
About the Salina Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,819 | $25.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,538 | $27.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,478 | $31.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,910 | $36.98 |
Median Salary Position
12.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salina
In Salina, KS, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,840 (2026 est.). At $57,538, the local median is 12.04% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salina: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salina Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Salina median: $57,538/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $59,440 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -12.04% less |
Athletic Trainers in Salina, KS earn a median of $57,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $59,440.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salina 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.
Salina, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,538 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,298 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,607
2025 BLS Actual
$54,992
2026 Current Est.
$57,538
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,607 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,856 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,357 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,955 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,738 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,992 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,202 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salina metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,607 (2019) to $54,992 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,202 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,595 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salina 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) | $48,070 – $52,819 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,819 – $57,538 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,538 – $66,478 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,478 – $76,910 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Salina
In Salina, there are currently 11 athletic trainers actively employed, which indicates a relatively small job market that may influence salary competition. With a cost-of-living index of 90.9—below the national average—workers must consider how far their earnings will stretch in this community. Among local employers, those in high school athletic training roles may offer lower compensation compared to positions in colleges and universities or industrial health settings such as Toyota and Boeing. The notable pay gap is driven by factors like the type of employer, the specific role (head versus assistant athletic trainer), and additional certifications like the CSCS. For those looking to enhance their career earnings in Salina, strategically targeting industrial positions and gaining diverse experiences could be beneficial, especially considering the trend towards higher salaries in non-traditional athletic training settings.
More salary data for Salina, 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 $54,992 for athletic trainersin the Salina 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 Salina 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