Athletic Trainer Salary in Liberty, MO: $61,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Liberty, MO earns a median $61,763/year (≈ $29.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Liberty's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $68,932 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberty, Missouri, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $61,763, which reflects a decrease compared to the national average of $65,415. Local salaries range from $48,119 for the lowest ten percent to $82,577 for the top ten percent, indicating a disparity that often arises from the different settings in which athletic trainers operate. Those working in industrial or occupational health settings tend to earn significantly more, thanks to the particular demands and certification requirements for those roles. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price parities, contextualizing Liberty’s market against broader trends in athletic training jobs.
About the Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,119 | $23.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,320 | $26.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,763 | $29.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,371 | $34.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,577 | $39.70 |
Median Salary Position
5.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberty
In Liberty, MO, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,458 (2026 est.). At $61,763, the local median is 5.58% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Liberty: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Liberty Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Liberty median: $61,763/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Liberty Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $62,704 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -5.58% less |
Athletic Trainers in Liberty, MO earn a median of $61,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.58% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.50% below the Missouri state average of $62,704.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Liberty has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Liberty, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $61,763 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,932 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,736
2025 BLS Actual
$59,030
2026 Current Est.
$61,763
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,736 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,077 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,717 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,835 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,696 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,916 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,623 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Liberty metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $45,736 (2019) to $59,030 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,623 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,887 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberty 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) | $48,119 – $54,320 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,320 – $61,763 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,763 – $71,371 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,371 – $82,577 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Liberty
The job market for athletic trainers in Liberty shows a modest local presence, with just five professionals employed in the area. Despite the cost-of-living index of 89.6, which suggests lower typical expenses than the national average, actual take-home pay may still feel constrained when considering local demands and living situations. Secondary schools and colleges employ a significant number of athletic trainers, with pay structures influenced by the setting and contract lengths—those employed by industrial giants like Toyota or Boeing often enjoy higher salaries due to their more stable year-round contracts and rigorous job requirements. Meanwhile, maximizing pay typically involves pursuing additional certifications, such as those from BOC or positions that include duties during evening or weekend sports events, enabling trainers to enhance their overall income potential. Understanding these factors is essential for current students and new professionals entering the field, especially in navigating the available opportunities in Liberty, MO.
More salary data for Liberty, MO:
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 $59,030 for athletic trainersin the Liberty 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 Liberty 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