Athletic Trainer Salary in Sugar Land, TX: $69,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Sugar Land, TX earns a median $69,368/year (≈ $33.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Sugar Land's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $72,258 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sugar Land, TX, the projected athletic trainer salary in 2026 is set at $69,368, reflecting a competitive edge of 6.04% over the national median of $65,415. The salary for athletic trainers in the area ranges significantly, from $53,989 at the lowest 10th percentile to $100,536 at the top 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse opportunities available for professionals in this field. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional price parities. The job market in Sugar Land is impacted by the predominance of industrial settings, where athletic trainers are often compensated more favorably compared to their peers in traditional sports environments, creating a noteworthy pay gap that candidates should consider when seeking employment.
About the Sugar Land Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,989 | $25.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,248 | $29.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,368 | $33.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,988 | $40.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,536 | $48.34 |
Median Salary Position
6.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sugar Land
In Sugar Land, TX, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,547 (2026 est.). At $69,368, the local median is 6.04% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sugar Land: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sugar Land Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Sugar Land median: $69,368/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sugar Land Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $69,576 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +6.04% more |
Athletic Trainers in Sugar Land, TX earn a median of $69,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.04% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 0.30% below the Texas state average of $69,576.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sugar Land 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.
Sugar Land, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $69,368 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,258 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,367
2025 BLS Actual
$66,298
2026 Current Est.
$69,368
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Sugar Land (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,367 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,873 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,346 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,093 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,431 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,348 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,298 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,579 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sugar Land metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $51,367 (2019) to $66,298 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,579 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,212 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sugar Land 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) | $53,989 – $61,248 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,248 – $69,368 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,368 – $83,988 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,988 – $100,536 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Sugar Land
Across Sugar Land, there are currently 21 athletic trainers employed, underscoring a niche market for this profession. The local cost of living index sits at 96, below the national average of 100, which generally means that salaries can stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Among the various employment settings in the area, industrial positions—particularly those in companies like Toyota, Boeing, and FedEx—tend to offer the highest compensation. The variability in pay is influenced by factors such as setting type (with professional sports positions typically paying more than roles in high schools), whether the contract is for a full year or school year, and the trainer's specific role within the organization—lead athletic trainers often earn more than assistants. To maximize athletic trainer pay in Sugar Land, pursuing additional certifications, such as the CSCS or OCS-AT, and considering positions that include stipends for weekend or evening events can significantly enhance earning potential in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Sugar Land, 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 $66,298 for athletic trainersin the Sugar Land 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 Sugar Land 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