Athletic Trainer Salary in Little Elm, TX: $67,506 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Little Elm, TX earns a median $67,506/year (≈ $32.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Little Elm's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $70,319 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected athletic trainer salary in Little Elm, TX for 2026 is $67,506 annually, slightly higher than the national median of $65,415. This increase reflects the impact of the master's degree requirement established in 2022, reshaping entry-level compensation for athletic trainers. Salaries range from $51,142 at the lowest percentiles to as high as $90,601 for those at the top of the pay distribution. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments indicate that athletic trainers in Little Elm are positioned favorably within the job market, benefiting from the city's growing demand for qualified professionals in both educational and recreational settings.
About the Little Elm Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,142 | $24.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,200 | $29.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,506 | $32.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,218 | $37.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,601 | $43.56 |
Median Salary Position
3.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Elm
In Little Elm, TX, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,459 (2026 est.). At $67,506, the local median is 3.2% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Elm: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Little Elm Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Little Elm median: $67,506/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Elm Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $69,594 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +3.20% more |
Athletic Trainers in Little Elm, TX earn a median of $67,506 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.20% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $69,594.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Elm has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Elm, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $67,506 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,319 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,989
2025 BLS Actual
$64,519
2026 Current Est.
$67,506
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Little Elm (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,989 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,454 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,968 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,561 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,782 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,755 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,519 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,506 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,632 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Elm metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $49,989 (2019) to $64,519 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,632 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,643 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Elm 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) | $51,142 – $62,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,200 – $67,506 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,506 – $78,218 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,218 – $90,601 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Little Elm
In Little Elm, the job market consists of about 12 athletic trainers, reflecting a niche but potentially stable employment landscape. The cost of living in the area, with an index of 96, is slightly below the national average, impacting the overall purchasing power of salaries. Among local employers, secondary schools may offer competitive salaries, but industrial environments such as Toyota or occupational health settings typically provide the highest pay, with roles in professional sports potentially yielding even more. Factors that create salary variability include the setting—professional over industrial, head athletic trainer versus assistant roles, and additional stipends for evening or weekend events. To maximize earnings in Little Elm, aspiring trainers should pursue certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT, seek roles that offer year-round contracts, and consider diversifying their experience across various athletic training settings.
More salary data for Little Elm, TX:
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 $64,519 for athletic trainersin the Little Elm 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 Little Elm 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