Athletic Trainer Salary in Norfolk, NE: $55,744 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Norfolk, NE earns a median $55,744/year (≈ $26.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Norfolk's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $60,922 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Norfolk, Nebraska, athletic trainers can expect a median annual salary of $55,744 as of 2026, which reflects a notable discrepancy when compared to the national median of $65,415. The local salary fluctuates between $47,168 at the lower end (P10) and $74,823 for the top earners (P90). These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price levels. The job market for athletic trainers in Norfolk is relatively specialized, particularly between those in traditional sports settings and those working in industrial health roles, with the latter often commanding higher salaries.
About the Norfolk Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,168 | $22.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,514 | $24.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,744 | $26.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,823 | $35.97 |
Median Salary Position
14.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norfolk
In Norfolk, NE, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,655 (2026 est.). At $55,744, the local median is 14.78% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Norfolk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Norfolk Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Norfolk median: $55,744/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norfolk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $59,875 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -14.78% less |
Athletic Trainers in Norfolk, NE earn a median of $55,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.78% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 6.90% below the Nebraska state average of $59,875.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norfolk 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.
Norfolk, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $55,744 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,922 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,279
2025 BLS Actual
$53,277
2026 Current Est.
$55,744
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Norfolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,279 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,489 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,262 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,366 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,312 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,277 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,744 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,325 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norfolk metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,279 (2019) to $53,277 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,325 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,046 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norfolk 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) | $47,168 – $51,514 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,514 – $55,744 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,744 – $65,020 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,020 – $74,823 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Norfolk
The job market for athletic trainers in Norfolk is limited, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. This small workforce is particularly indicative of the prevailing cost-of-living reality, with an index of 91.5 signaling a lower purchasing power compared to the national average. Within Norfolk, primary employers vary significantly in their pay structures; collegiate institutions typically pay less than industrial entities like Toyota or FedEx, which offer more competitive compensation packages. Factors influencing pay discrepancies include the nature of the setting—where professional sports roles generally pay the most—and distinctions between positions such as head athletic trainers versus assistants. To maximize earnings in Norfolk, pursuing additional certifications or seeking roles that provide stipends for evening and weekend events may be advantageous, considering the growth rate of 4.63% that suggests a steadily evolving market for athletic trainers.
More salary data for Norfolk, 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 $53,277 for athletic trainersin the Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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