Athletic Trainer Salary

Del City vs Tulsa: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

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

Del City, OK
$54,680
$26.29/hr
Tulsa, OK
$62,035
$29.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDel City, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$54,680$62,035
Hourly Rate$26.29$29.82
Entry Level (P10)$42,739$46,184
25th Percentile$51,175$53,728
75th Percentile$62,364$74,109
Top Earner (P90)$71,109$78,765
Total Employed470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Del City ($54,680) and Tulsa ($62,035) athletic trainer salaries.Del CityTulsaMedian Salary$54,680$62,035Entry Level (P10)$42,739$46,184Top Earner (P90)$71,109$78,765US Median $65,415

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Del City.

The salary gap between Del City and Tulsa is $7,355 (13.45%). 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 Del City spans $28,370,Tulsa spans $32,581. Tulsa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Del City
P10 (Entry)$42,739
P25$51,175
Median$54,680
P75$62,364
P90 (Top)$71,109
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 13.05% more than Del City ($61,507 effective).

Del City
Nominal: $54,680
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $61,507
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 Del City if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,035/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($78,765)
  • 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 Del City grew 20.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.0% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Del City, OK

+20.2%

$43,466 (2024) → $52,260 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+17.0%

$50,670 (2019) → $59,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Del City or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $62,035/year, compared to Del City at $54,680/year — a difference of $7,355 (13.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Del City and Tulsa?

Del City athletic trainers earn $26.29/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $29.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Del City to Tulsa as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Del City and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Del City = $61,507, Tulsa = $69,535), job availability (4 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Del City vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $42,739 in Del City 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