Athletic Trainer Salary in Kearney, NE: $57,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Kearney, NE earns a median $57,639/year (≈ $27.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $62,993 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, the compensation landscape for athletic trainers reflects the broader trend of regional pay disparities, particularly influenced by sector differences. The projected median annual salary for this profession is $57,639, which is notably lower than the national average of $65,415. Salaries for athletic trainers in Kearney range from $47,454 at the 10th percentile to a high of $80,060 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for local cost-of-living considerations, illustrate how Kearney's focus on industrial and occupational health settings contrasts with traditional sports roles. This distinctive market positioning suggests that job seekers with specialized skills and certifications could better navigate the local salary spectrum.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,454 | $22.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,574 | $25.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,639 | $27.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,431 | $32.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,060 | $38.49 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,606 (2026 est.). At $57,639, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Kearney median: $57,639/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $59,853 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -11.89% less |
Athletic Trainers in Kearney, NE earn a median of $57,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $59,853.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,639 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,993 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,682
2025 BLS Actual
$55,088
2026 Current Est.
$57,639
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,682 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,933 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,664 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,044 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,818 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,088 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,307 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,682 (2019) to $55,088 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,307 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,625 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $47,454 – $52,574 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,574 – $57,639 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,639 – $68,431 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,431 – $80,060 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Kearney
Currently, Kearney employs approximately nine athletic trainers, indicating a stable job market for this occupation. The city's cost-of-living index stands at 91.5, which implies that residents generally face lower living expenses compared to the national average. This economic factor positively influences the local purchasing power of athletic trainers' salaries. Among various employers, settings such as industrial health facilities, including Toyota and FedEx, tend to offer more lucrative compensation compared to secondary schools or community colleges. Pay variations are often attributed to several factors, including the type of employer, the nature of employment contracts, roles (head vs. assistant trainers), and additional responsibilities during evening or weekend events. For athletic trainers aiming to maximize their income potential in Kearney, pursuing advanced certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT, along with exploring opportunities in industrial health, may provide a pathway to higher earnings.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 $55,088 for athletic trainersin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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