Athletic Trainer Salary in Williston, ND: $57,425 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Williston, ND earns a median $57,425/year (≈ $27.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $62,418 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Williston, North Dakota, the projected annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is approximately $57,425, which falls below the national median of $65,415, highlighting a significant pay gap driven largely by the region's reliance on industrial rather than traditional sports settings. Local salaries range from about $46,664 at the lower end to $78,613 at the high end, with estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations. As Williston continues to evolve, the job market reflects a growing need for athletic trainers not just in schools, but also in industrial health settings that can offer higher compensation.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,664 | $22.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,748 | $24.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,425 | $27.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,651 | $32.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,613 | $37.79 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,949 (2026 est.). At $57,425, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williston Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Williston median: $57,425/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $60,194 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -12.21% less |
Athletic Trainers in Williston, ND earn a median of $57,425 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $60,194.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,425 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,418 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,524
2025 BLS Actual
$54,884
2026 Current Est.
$57,425
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,524 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,506 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,264 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,855 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,649 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,884 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,425 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,084 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,524 (2019) to $54,884 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,084 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,560 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $46,664 – $51,748 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,748 – $57,425 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,425 – $67,651 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,651 – $78,613 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Williston
Given the employment of just seven athletic trainers in the area, the local market is quite niche, with a cost-of-living index of 92 indicating a lower-than-average financial burden compared to national standards. Those seeking higher athletic trainer pay in Williston, ND, may find greater opportunities with employers in industrial settings—such as transportation or manufacturing facilities—which typically offer better compensation than high school or college athletic training roles. Factors that affect salary variability in this market include the type of contract—year-round vs. school-year—as well as positions held, with head athletic trainers earning more than assistants. For aspiring professionals, obtaining additional certifications like CSCS or targeting sectors where athletic trainers are in high demand can be strategic methods to enhance earning potential in Williston.
More salary data for Williston, 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 $54,884 for athletic trainersin the Williston 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 Williston 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