Athletic Trainer Salary in Omaha, NE: $61,920 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Omaha, NE earns a median $61,920/year (≈ $29.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Omaha's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $67,370 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in Omaha, Nebraska, is set at $61,920, reflecting the increased qualifications required after the 2022 transition to a master’s degree for entry-level practice. The salary range indicates considerable variation, with the lowest annual earnings projected at $52,399 and the highest reaching $79,603. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the competitive nature of the job market for athletic trainers in Omaha. With a solid professional landscape driven by evolving educational standards, recruiters in the region are likely to seek graduates from accredited programs who possess strong clinical skill sets and relevant certifications.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,399 | $25.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,792 | $28.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,920 | $29.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,424 | $32.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,603 | $38.27 |
Median Salary Position
5.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Omaha
In Omaha, NE, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,204 (2026 est.). At $61,920, the local median is 5.34% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Omaha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Omaha Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Omaha median: $61,920/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Omaha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $59,826 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -5.34% less |
Athletic Trainers in Omaha, NE earn a median of $61,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.34% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.50% above the Nebraska state average of $59,826.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Omaha has a cost of living 8.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Omaha, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.911 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $61,920 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,370 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,690
2025 BLS Actual
$59,180
2026 Current Est.
$61,920
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Omaha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,920 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,787 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Omaha metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.5% from $45,690 (2019) to $59,180 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,787 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,097 (41.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Omaha 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) | $52,399 – $58,792 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,792 – $61,920 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,920 – $67,424 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,424 – $79,603 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Omaha
The local job market currently employs approximately 110 athletic trainers, a figure that contributes to sustaining a supportive community for the profession in Omaha. However, the cost of living index stands at 91.911, meaning that despite a healthy salary, take-home pay may not stretch as far as in markets with a higher cost of living. Within Omaha, employers in professional sports, such as the NFL or NCAA, typically offer higher salaries compared to secondary schools, which often operate on seasonal contracts. Salary disparities are driven by various factors, including the setting of employment, responsibility levels, and contract length. For those looking to maximize pay in Omaha, pursuing additional certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT and seeking head athletic trainer roles, especially in industrial or professional sports settings, could prove beneficial. Understanding the interplay of these factors is key for aspiring athletic trainers contemplating how much do athletic trainers make in Omaha.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Omaha, NE in 2026?
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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 $59,180 for athletic trainersin the Omaha 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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