Athletic Trainer Salary in Central, LA: $62,846 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Central, LA earns a median $62,846/year (≈ $30.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Central's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $69,597 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Central, Louisiana, the 2026 median annual salary for athletic trainers is projected at $62,846, which reflects a slight decline compared to the national median of $65,415. The compensation range for athletic trainers in this area spans from $51,493 at the 10th percentile to $87,000 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse pay spectrum influenced by both employment settings and experience levels. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight how local market dynamics affect athletic trainer pay in Central. The competitive salary for athletic trainers at various levels of responsibility indicates that there are opportunities within different environments, even as the small job pool of only five employed athletic trainers suggests a specialized labor market.
About the Central Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,493 | $24.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,141 | $27.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,846 | $30.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,435 | $35.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,000 | $41.83 |
Median Salary Position
3.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Central
In Central, LA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,507 (2026 est.). At $62,846, the local median is 3.93% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Central: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Central Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Central median: $62,846/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Central Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $65,396 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -3.93% less |
Athletic Trainers in Central, LA earn a median of $62,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.93% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.90% below the Louisiana state average of $65,396.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Central has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Central, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,846 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,597 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,538
2025 BLS Actual
$60,065
2026 Current Est.
$62,846
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Central (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,538 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,902 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,519 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,726 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,655 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,108 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,065 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,846 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,756 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Central metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,538 (2019) to $60,065 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,756 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,218 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Central 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) | $51,493 – $57,141 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,141 – $62,846 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,846 – $74,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,435 – $87,000 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Central
The job market for athletic trainers in Central LA is shaped by a cost of living index of 90.3, which is lower than the national average, affecting take-home pay and purchasing power for professionals in the field. Among employers, secondary schools typically offer the least lucrative positions, while industrial and occupational health settings—often linked to larger corporations like Toyota and FedEx—tend to provide higher compensation. Variability in athletic trainer pay is driven by several factors, including the distinction between school-year contracts and year-round employment, as well as the differences in roles (such as head athletic trainers versus assistants) and added stipends for weekend events. Maximizing earnings in this particular market can involve seeking employment in industrial environments or pursuing additional certifications that enhance qualifications, ultimately enabling athletic trainers to leverage their skills more effectively for better pay.
More salary data for Central, LA:
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 $60,065 for athletic trainersin the Central 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 Central 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