Athletic Trainer Salary in Ardmore, OK: $55,034 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Ardmore, OK earns a median $55,034/year (≈ $26.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Ardmore's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $61,906 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ardmore, Oklahoma, the projected athletic trainer salary in 2026 is set at $55,034, reflecting a market that offers a varied salary range from $43,755 at the lower percentile to $76,562 at the high end. This compensation, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, indicates a distinct difference compared to the national median of $65,415, showing that local salaries may lag behind national benchmarks by approximately 15.87%. Those entering the field of athletic training in Ardmore, whether in education or healthcare settings, must weigh the benefits of year-round industrial positions against the more traditional school-year contracts that are prevalent in secondary education environments. With only seven athletic trainers currently in the area, the local job market remains selective and competitive.
About the Ardmore Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,755 | $21.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,052 | $23.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,034 | $26.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,412 | $31.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,562 | $36.81 |
Median Salary Position
15.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ardmore
In Ardmore, OK, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,807 (2026 est.). At $55,034, the local median is 15.87% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ardmore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ardmore Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Ardmore median: $55,034/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ardmore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $58,176 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -15.87% less |
Athletic Trainers in Ardmore, OK earn a median of $55,034 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.87% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 5.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $58,176.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ardmore has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ardmore, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $55,034 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,906 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,753
2025 BLS Actual
$52,599
2026 Current Est.
$55,034
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Ardmore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,753 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,948 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,736 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,296 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,737 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,749 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,599 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,034 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,582 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ardmore metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $40,753 (2019) to $52,599 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,582 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,829 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ardmore 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) | $43,755 – $49,052 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,052 – $55,034 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,034 – $65,412 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,412 – $76,562 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Ardmore
Exploring the local job market reveals an engaging dynamic for athletic trainers navigating Ardmore's landscape. The area's cost-of-living index sits at 88.9, suggesting that while salaries may appear lower than national averages, the purchasing power can be relatively favorable for residents. Among the potential employers, industrial and occupational health settings—such as those found with Toyota and FedEx—typically offer higher pay compared to secondary schools or colleges. For trainers aiming to maximize their earnings in Ardmore, pursuing additional certifications such as the CSCS may enhance their value, while taking on head athletic trainer roles or agreeing to stipends for evening and weekend events can further increase financial prospects. Given the transition to a master's degree requirement for entry into the field and the unique opportunities in industrial settings, athletic trainers must strategically position themselves within the local market to secure the best compensation possible.
More salary data for Ardmore, OK:
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 $52,599 for athletic trainersin the Ardmore 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 Ardmore 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