Athletic Trainer Salary

Broken Arrow vs Tulsa: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Broken Arrow, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Broken Arrow, OK
$59,456
$28.58/hr
Tulsa, OK
$62,035
$29.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBroken Arrow, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$59,456$62,035
Hourly Rate$28.58$29.82
Entry Level (P10)$43,947$46,184
25th Percentile$50,733$53,728
75th Percentile$71,503$74,109
Top Earner (P90)$85,356$78,765
Total Employed2370
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Broken Arrow ($59,456) and Tulsa ($62,035) athletic trainer salaries.Broken ArrowTulsaMedian Salary$59,456$62,035Entry Level (P10)$43,947$46,184Top Earner (P90)$85,356$78,765US Median $65,415

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Broken Arrow.

The salary gap between Broken Arrow and Tulsa is $2,579 (4.34%). Tulsa's median is -5.17% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Broken Arrow spans $41,409,Tulsa spans $32,581. Broken Arrow has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Broken Arrow
P10 (Entry)$43,947
P25$50,733
Median$59,456
P75$71,503
P90 (Top)$85,356
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$46,184
P25$53,728
Median$62,035
P75$74,109
P90 (Top)$78,765

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tulsa ($69,535 effective) pays 3.97% more than Broken Arrow ($66,880 effective).

Broken Arrow
Nominal: $59,456
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $66,880
Tulsa
Nominal: $62,035
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $69,535

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Broken Arrow if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,356)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,035/year)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,535)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Broken Arrow grew 20.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.0% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Broken Arrow, OK

+20.2%

$47,264 (2024) → $56,825 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+17.0%

$50,670 (2019) → $59,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Broken Arrow or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $62,035/year, compared to Broken Arrow at $59,456/year — a difference of $2,579 (4.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Broken Arrow and Tulsa?

Broken Arrow athletic trainers earn $28.58/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $29.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Broken Arrow to Tulsa as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Broken Arrow and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Broken Arrow = $66,880, Tulsa = $69,535), job availability (23 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Broken Arrow vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $43,947 in Broken Arrow and $46,184 in Tulsa. The Tulsa area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gomez, MS, ATCData verified by David Kim, BS, ATC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov