Athletic Trainer Salary in Bozeman, MT: $50,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Bozeman, MT earns a median $50,656/year (≈ $24.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Bozeman's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $52,657 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bozeman, Montana, the athletic trainer salary in 2026 is projected to be around $50,656, which places it significantly below the national median of $65,415. This gap can be partially attributed to the prevalence of industrial athletic training positions in the area, which often command higher salaries than traditional roles in schools or colleges. The salary range varies considerably, from $40,706 at the 10th percentile to $74,376 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities and settings available to athletic trainers. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost factors, and they illustrate the economic realities of working in Bozeman’s unique job market.
About the Bozeman Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,706 | $19.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,580 | $21.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,656 | $24.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,245 | $28.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,376 | $35.76 |
Median Salary Position
22.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bozeman
In Bozeman, MT, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,670 (2026 est.). At $50,656, the local median is 22.56% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bozeman: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bozeman Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Bozeman median: $50,656/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bozeman Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $51,479 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -22.56% less |
Athletic Trainers in Bozeman, MT earn a median of $50,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.56% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.60% below the Montana state average of $51,479.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bozeman has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bozeman, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $50,656 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,657 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,511
2025 BLS Actual
$48,414
2026 Current Est.
$50,656
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Bozeman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,511 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,495 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,692 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,225 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,414 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bozeman metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $37,511 (2019) to $48,414 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,490 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bozeman 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) | $40,706 – $45,580 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,580 – $50,656 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,656 – $59,245 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,245 – $74,376 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Bozeman
With only 14 athletic trainers employed in the Bozeman area, competition for positions may be tight, yet opportunities remain strong particularly in industrial environments. The area's cost of living, indexed at 96.2, means that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power in Bozeman offsets this to some degree. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include colleges and universities, particularly those offering NCAA athletics, as well as industrial health settings such as Toyota and Boeing. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to factors such as year-round contracts, additional duties during evenings or weekends, and advanced certifications. To maximize an athletic trainer's pay in Bozeman, pursuing year-round positions, obtaining relevant certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT, and seeking roles within industrial health can be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Bozeman, MT:
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 $48,414 for athletic trainersin the Bozeman 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 Bozeman 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