Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Commerce City, CO: $52,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Commerce City, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $52,043 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Commerce City's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $49,565 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($66,630) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the field in Commerce City can expect an entry-level athletic trainer salary starting around $52,043. While this initial pay may seem low compared to the city’s median salary of $66,630, it reflects a common starting point in the field. As early-career athletic trainers gain experience, they can anticipate realistic growth in their earnings; moving from the entry-level marks to the 25th percentile at $58,828 and potentially reaching the median within a few years. With a projected 4.63% growth rate in employment opportunities, Commerce City presents a favorable market for new athletic trainers eager to build their careers in a growing profession.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Commerce City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Commerce City
Entry-level athletic trainers in Commerce City, CO typically start between $52,043 and $58,828 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $41,482 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $66,630 — 1.86% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Colorado of $60,000 represents just 115.29% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($52,043/year) in Commerce City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAATE-accredited Master of Science in Athletic Training programs. Tuition varies between public in-state and private institutions; the BOC certification exam is required after graduation for practice.
AT, ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Commerce City
- 1Research the Commerce City market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $52,043 to $58,828, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the athletic training field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Commerce City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Commerce City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Commerce City's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Athletic Trainer Compensation Range
The athletic trainer wage spread in Commerce City is $41,482 ( 79.71%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $52,043, experienced hygienists can earn up to $93,525.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,313
2025 BLS Actual
$49,740
2026 Current Est.
$52,043
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Commerce City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,313 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,048 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,157 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,954 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,578 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,114 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,453 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Commerce City, CO grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,313 in 2019 to $49,740 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $54,453. New graduates entering the Commerce City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Commerce 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.
Starting Your athletic training Career in Commerce City
Local employers such as high schools and sports medicine programs are primary recruiters of entry-level athletic trainers in Commerce City. Additionally, industrial settings are increasingly hiring athletic trainers through specialized staffing firms, which often offer salaries 30-50% higher than traditional school-based positions. To improve their starting pay, new graduates should prioritize obtaining their Master's degree from a CAATE-accredited program, passing the BOC national exam to earn ATC credentials, and securing their state AT license. Continued education, including specialty certifications like CSCS and OCS-AT, can further enhance job prospects. In the first three years, realistic salary growth could see these professionals climbing from entry-level pay to higher percentiles, effectively positioning themselves for sustainable employment within the evolving landscape of athletic training in Commerce City, CO.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for athletic trainers in Commerce City in 2026?
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What do new athletic trainers make right out of school in Commerce City?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new athletic training graduates. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Commerce City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Commerce City 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