Athletic Trainer Salary in Fargo, ND: $68,470 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Fargo, ND earns a median $68,470/year (≈ $32.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $75,349 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.8% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $68,470, reflecting a competitive market compared to the national median of $65,415. Athletic trainers in the city can expect to earn between $53,497 at the 10th percentile and $80,942 at the 90th percentile, based on data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys. This variation highlights the choice many trainers face between traditional school-year contracts often associated with secondary schools and year-round opportunities found in industrial settings. Employers in Fargo are increasingly recognizing the value of athletic trainers, which is evident in the robust salary range that can cater to different experience levels and training backgrounds.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,497 | $25.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,280 | $27.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,270 | $33.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,942 | $38.91 |
Median Salary Position
4.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,445 (2026 est.). At $68,470, the local median is 4.67% above the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be above the median
How Fargo Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Fargo median: $68,470/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $60,167 | +13.80% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +4.67% more |
Athletic Trainers in Fargo, ND earn a median of $68,470 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.67% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 13.80% above the North Dakota state average of $60,167.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $68,470 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,349 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,702
2025 BLS Actual
$65,440
2026 Current Est.
$68,470
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,702 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,470 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,640 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $50,702 (2019) to $65,440 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,640 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,938 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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) | $53,497 – $56,280 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,280 – $68,470 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,470 – $70,270 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,270 – $80,942 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Fargo
Fargo hosts around 50 athletic trainers, indicating a solid job market within the local area. With a cost-of-living index of 90.871, professionals here enjoy a relatively affordable lifestyle, enhancing their purchasing power despite the salaries. The most lucrative positions are typically found in industrial or occupational health settings, where companies like Toyota and FedEx often pay significantly more than schools or colleges. Factors driving salary disparities include the environment of employment; those in high-stakes professional sports settings tend to earn more than their counterparts in educational institutions, reflecting the varying demands and responsibilities associated with each role. To optimize their athletic trainer pay in Fargo, individuals are encouraged to pursue advanced certifications and seek positions that offer year-round contracts, as this can bridge the gap between entry-level and more experienced roles while capitalizing on the growing demand for skilled professionals in both sports and industrial contexts.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
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 $65,440 for athletic trainersin the Fargo 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, 6-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