Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Sioux City, IA: $45,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Sioux City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $45,394 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,215 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($59,562) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates embarking on a career as an athletic trainer in Sioux City, IA, can expect an entry-level salary around $45,394 in 2026. This figure is considerably lower than the city median annual salary of $59,562, which indicates a significant gap in earnings that new entrants to the field should prepare for as they gain experience. In the first few years, many athletic trainers may see their salaries increase as they reach the $51,696 mark at the 25th percentile and even closer to the median. With a projected growth rate of 4.63%, Sioux City presents a favorable market for new graduates, particularly compared to some larger cities, making it a viable option for those just starting in their athletic training careers.
About the Sioux City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux 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 Sioux City
Entry-level athletic trainers in Sioux City, IA typically start between $45,394 and $51,696 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $36,874 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $59,562 — 8.95% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Iowa of $55,000 represents just 121.16% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($45,394/year) in Sioux 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 Sioux City
- 1Research the Sioux City market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $45,394 to $51,696, 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 Sioux 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 Sioux City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux City'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 Sioux City is $36,874 ( 81.23%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $45,394, experienced hygienists can earn up to $82,268.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,185
2025 BLS Actual
$43,385
2026 Current Est.
$45,394
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,185 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,698 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,282 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,722 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,883 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,259 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,385 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,495 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux City, IA grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,185 in 2019 to $43,385 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,495. New graduates entering the Sioux City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux 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 Sioux City
New graduates seeking opportunities in athletic training within Sioux City should consider various employment settings that can influence their starting salaries. High school athletic training services, often affiliated with hospital sports medicine programs, typically hire recent graduates entering the field, while industrial settings, including factories and distribution centers, may offer significantly higher pay, potentially 30-50% more than traditional school roles. To enhance earning potential, aspiring athletic trainers should focus on obtaining the necessary credentials, such as a Master's degree from a CAATE-accredited program and passing the BOC national exam, which is crucial since the transition to a master's degree was mandated in 2022. Engaging with professional organizations like NATA will also provide networking opportunities and resources, setting the stage for career advancement in Iowa’s promising athletic training landscape.
More salary data for Sioux City, 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 Sioux City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sioux 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