Athletic Trainer Salary in Tumwater, WA: $68,771 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Tumwater, WA earns a median $68,771/year (≈ $33.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Tumwater's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $64,033 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected athletic trainer salary in Tumwater, Washington, is $68,771, exceeding the national median of $65,415. This compensation is accompanied by a salary range from $52,808 at the 10th percentile to $97,711 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional cost of living, which is indexed at 107.4 — indicating higher living costs compared to the national average. The industrial environment in Tumwater, with facilities such as Toyota and Boeing, presents unique opportunities for athletic trainers that may lead to salaries more favorable than traditional roles in high schools or NCAA institutions.
About the Tumwater Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,808 | $25.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,575 | $30.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,771 | $33.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,917 | $37.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,711 | $46.98 |
Median Salary Position
5.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tumwater
In Tumwater, WA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,903 (2026 est.). At $68,771, the local median is 5.13% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tumwater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tumwater Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Tumwater median: $68,771/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tumwater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $70,246 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +5.13% more |
Athletic Trainers in Tumwater, WA earn a median of $68,771 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.13% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 2.10% below the Washington state average of $70,246.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tumwater has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tumwater, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,771 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,033 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,926
2025 BLS Actual
$65,728
2026 Current Est.
$68,771
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Tumwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,926 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,418 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,905 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,603 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,902 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,285 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,728 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,771 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,955 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tumwater metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $50,926 (2019) to $65,728 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,955 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,029 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tumwater 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) | $52,808 – $62,575 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,575 – $68,771 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,771 – $78,917 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,917 – $97,711 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Tumwater
In Tumwater, there are currently six athletic trainers employed, which contributes to a competitive job market. The elevated cost of living means that take-home purchasing power could be less than what is inferred from the salary alone. The most lucrative positions are often found in industrial settings, where employers like Boeing and FedEx generally offer better pay than local educational institutions. The pay disparity is impacted by various factors, including whether an athletic trainer is in a head role versus an assistant position and the nature of their contracts, which may vary between traditional school-year timelines and year-round commitments. Strategies for maximizing pay in this market include pursuing additional certifications, like the OCS-AT or CSCS, and being open to roles that require evening or weekend availability, which are often compensated with stipends. Understanding the local job landscape thoroughly can significantly enhance earnings potential for athletic trainers in Tumwater, WA.
More salary data for Tumwater, WA:
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 $65,728 for athletic trainersin the Tumwater 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 Tumwater 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