Athletic Trainer Salary

Maryland Heights vs St. Louis: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Maryland Heights, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Maryland Heights, MO
$61,554
$29.59/hr
St. Louis, MO
$62,673
$30.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMaryland Heights, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$61,554$62,673
Hourly Rate$29.59$30.13
Entry Level (P10)$47,802$48,255
25th Percentile$53,878$58,091
75th Percentile$70,926$68,512
Top Earner (P90)$87,704$78,473
Total Employed5160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Maryland Heights ($61,554) and St. Louis ($62,673) athletic trainer salaries.Maryland HeightsSt. LouisMedian Salary$61,554$62,673Entry Level (P10)$47,802$48,255Top Earner (P90)$87,704$78,473US Median $65,415

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Maryland Heights.

The salary gap between Maryland Heights and St. Louis is $1,119 (1.82%). St. Louis's median is -4.19% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Maryland Heights spans $39,902,St. Louis spans $30,218. Maryland Heights has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Maryland Heights
P10 (Entry)$47,802
P25$53,878
Median$61,554
P75$70,926
P90 (Top)$87,704
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$48,255
P25$58,091
Median$62,673
P75$68,512
P90 (Top)$78,473

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Maryland Heights ($68,699 effective) pays 4.23% more than St. Louis ($65,911 effective).

Maryland Heights
Nominal: $61,554
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $68,699
St. Louis
Nominal: $62,673
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $65,911

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Maryland Heights if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,704)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,699)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,673/year)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Maryland Heights grew 28.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 51.0% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Maryland Heights, MO

+28.6%

$45,760 (2024) → $58,830 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+51.0%

$39,670 (2019) → $59,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Maryland Heights or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $62,673/year, compared to Maryland Heights at $61,554/year — a difference of $1,119 (1.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Maryland Heights and St. Louis?

Maryland Heights athletic trainers earn $29.59/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $30.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Maryland Heights to St. Louis as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Maryland Heights and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Maryland Heights = $68,699, St. Louis = $65,911), job availability (5 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Maryland Heights vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $47,802 in Maryland Heights and $48,255 in St. Louis. The St. Louis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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