Athletic Trainer Salary in Brookings, SD: $56,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Brookings, SD earns a median $56,084/year (≈ $26.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Brookings's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $60,435 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookings, SD, athletic trainers can expect a median annual salary of $56,084 in 2026, which lags behind the national average of $65,415 by over 14%. Local salaries range from $46,944 at the 10th percentile to $74,444 at the 90th percentile, indicating a noteworthy variance in compensation based on factors such as experience and employment setting. These figures reflect regional cost adjustments derived from 2025 BLS data, suggesting that while Brookings may offer a lower salary compared to national standards, the local market is stable for athletic trainers just entering the field or those seeking year-round opportunities. Understanding the compensation context is critical for practitioners evaluating their career options in this tightening job market.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,944 | $22.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,278 | $24.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,084 | $26.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,444 | $35.79 |
Median Salary Position
14.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
In Brookings, SD, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,500 (2026 est.). At $56,084, the local median is 14.26% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookings Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Brookings median: $56,084/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $60,697 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -14.26% less |
Athletic Trainers in Brookings, SD earn a median of $56,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.26% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $60,697.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookings has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookings, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $56,084 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,435 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,530
2025 BLS Actual
$53,602
2026 Current Est.
$56,084
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,748 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,513 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,667 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,868 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,602 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,680 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookings metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,530 (2019) to $53,602 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,680 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,150 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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) | $46,944 – $51,278 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,278 – $56,084 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,084 – $64,900 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,900 – $74,444 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Brookings
Despite only four athletic trainers currently employed in Brookings, the local job market shows potential for growth, evidenced by an annual growth rate of 4.63%. With a cost-of-living index of 92.8, salary purchasing power is slightly better than that of the national average, making it feasible to live comfortably on a local athletic trainer salary. Among local employers, those in industrial health settings such as Toyota or Boeing typically offer higher wages compared to high school or collegiate positions. Factors influencing pay include the differences in professional environments—e.g., athletics versus industrial health—and roles, such as head versus assistant athletic trainer positions. To maximize salary potential, entering the industrial sector, pursuing additional certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT, or taking on extra responsibilities during evening and weekend events might present avenues for increased earnings in Brookings, SD.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
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 $53,602 for athletic trainersin the Brookings 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 Brookings 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