Athletic Trainer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $69,035 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $69,035/year (≈ $33.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $68,441 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salt Lake City, the projected earnings for athletic trainers in 2026 reflect a competitive landscape within the health and sports sectors. An athletic trainer can anticipate a median annual salary of $69,035, surpassing the national median by 5.53%. Salary potential varies, with entry-level positions starting around $63,343 and experienced professionals earning up to $85,451. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected forward, indicates a robust demand for athletic trainers in the local market. The fruitful opportunities available reflect the dual nature of the profession, with the choice between school-year contracts common in secondary education and the more stable, year-round positions available in industrial settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,343 | $30.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,679 | $33.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,035 | $33.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,574 | $39.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,451 | $41.08 |
Median Salary Position
5.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,108 (2026 est.). At $69,035, the local median is 5.53% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salt Lake City Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $69,035/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $64,159 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +5.53% more |
Athletic Trainers in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $69,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.53% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 7.60% above the Utah state average of $64,159.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,035 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,441 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,590
2025 BLS Actual
$65,980
2026 Current Est.
$69,035
2019–2027 Growth
+73.7%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,035 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,231 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 58.6% from $41,590 (2019) to $65,980 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,231 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,641 (73.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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) | $63,343 – $68,679 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,679 – $69,035 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,035 – $82,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,574 – $85,451 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Salt Lake City
Examining the local job market reveals there are about 130 athletic trainers employed in the Salt Lake City area. With a cost of living index of 100.868, the purchasing power for these professionals is slightly above the national average. In terms of compensation, athletic trainers working with professional sports teams typically earn higher salaries compared to their counterparts in secondary schools or outpatient clinics. Factors influencing pay disparities include the nature of employment settings, with industrial health roles often commanding 30-50% higher wages than traditional school contracts. Moreover, hold positions as head athletic trainers tend to offer better financial rewards than assistant roles, particularly when stipend opportunities for evenings and weekends are factored into overall compensation. Maximizing earning potential may involve seeking additional certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT, allowing professionals to strategically enhance their skill set and stand out in this competitive market.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 $65,980 for athletic trainersin the Salt Lake City 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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