Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Des Moines, IA: $50,400 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Des Moines, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $50,400 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Des Moines's local price level (BEA RPP 91.7 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $54,961 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($52,430) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Beginning a career as an athletic trainer in Des Moines, Iowa, offers new graduates a promising yet competitive landscape. The starting athletic trainer salary in Des Moines is projected to be around $50,400 in 2026, slightly below the median annual salary of $52,430 for the area. While this gap may seem minimal, it highlights the need for new grads to strategically position themselves to reach the median or higher through experience and specializations. Many entry-level athletic trainers can expect a growth trajectory that may lead them to the 25th percentile salary of $51,436 within their first few years. With a growth rate of 4.63% annually projected for the profession, Des Moines presents itself as a decent job market for recent graduates seeking their first roles in athletic training.
Career Earnings Timeline in Des Moines
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 Des Moines
Entry-level athletic trainers in Des Moines, IA typically start between $50,400 and $51,436 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $24,473 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $52,430 — 19.85% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Iowa of $55,000 represents just 109.13% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($50,400/year) in Des Moines. 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 Des Moines
- 1Research the Des Moines market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $50,400 to $51,436, 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 IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Des Moines, 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 Des Moines for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Des Moines's below-average 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 Des Moines is $24,473 ( 48.56%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $50,400, experienced hygienists can earn up to $74,873.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,890
2025 BLS Actual
$48,170
2026 Current Est.
$50,400
2019–2027 Growth
+120.7%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,400 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,734 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Des Moines, IA grew 101.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,890 in 2019 to $48,170 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $52,734. New graduates entering the Des Moines job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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 Des Moines
In Des Moines, the majority of new grad athletic trainer pay in IA stems from opportunities within high schools, often requiring AT services that are outsourced to local hospital sports medicine programs. While industrial settings also hire athletic trainers—typically offering compensation that is 30-50% higher than school roles—most collegiate positions require prior internships or graduate assistant roles. As new graduates transition into the field, possessing a master's degree from a CAATE-accredited program, along with completion of the BOC national exam to earn the ATC credential, is essential. Furthermore, maintaining state licensure and obtaining basic certifications like BLS or first aid can enhance employability and starting pay. In the first three years, realistic salary growth expectations in Des Moines range from gradual advancement towards the median salary, incentivizing fresh graduates to remain persistent and seek various avenues for professional development within the athletic training community.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
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
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 Des Moines. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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