Athletic Trainer Salary in Butte, MT: $50,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Butte, MT earns a median $50,028/year (≈ $24.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $52,004 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Butte, Montana, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $50,028 in 2026, a figure that falls significantly below the national median of $65,415. The salary range for this profession spans from $38,026 at the 10th percentile to $70,373 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse income spectrum influenced by various factors such as experience, setting, and responsibilities. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, reflect the unique job market in Butte, which features employment opportunities primarily in local schools and health-centric industries. The pay disparity relative to national figures illustrates the challenges faced by athletic trainers in non-professional settings, where traditional sports roles typically offer lower compensation compared to industrial or occupational health positions.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,026 | $18.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,077 | $21.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,028 | $24.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,934 | $28.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,373 | $33.84 |
Median Salary Position
23.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,347 (2026 est.). At $50,028, the local median is 23.52% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Butte Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Butte median: $50,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $51,469 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -23.52% less |
Athletic Trainers in Butte, MT earn a median of $50,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.52% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $51,469.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Butte 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.
Butte, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $50,028 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,004 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,046
2025 BLS Actual
$47,814
2026 Current Est.
$50,028
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,046 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,132 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,031 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,176 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,304 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,615 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,814 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,344 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $37,046 (2019) to $47,814 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,344 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,298 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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) | $38,026 – $45,077 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,077 – $50,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,028 – $59,934 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,934 – $70,373 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Butte
In terms of the local employment landscape, Butte hosts seven athletic trainers, indicating a relatively small market that can affect job availability and competition. With a cost of living index of 96.2, professionals here may have varied purchasing power that can impact their overall financial comfort. Among the primary employers in Butte, secondary schools generally offer lower salaries than colleges and universities or industrial settings, which often provide higher compensation due to year-round contracts and a greater demand for athletic trainers. Factors contributing to earnings disparities include the type of setting—industrial health positions can be significantly financially rewarding compared to educational environments—along with the roles held, like head athletic trainers versus assistants. To maximize salary potential in Butte, athletic trainers should seek additional certifications such as the CSCS or OCS-AT, continue professional development, and explore roles in industries that value occupational health expertise more highly.
More salary data for Butte, 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 $47,814 for athletic trainersin the Butte 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 Butte 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