Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Emporia, KS: $45,882 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Emporia, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $45,882 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Emporia's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,475 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($54,895) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates looking at an entry-level athletic trainer salary in Emporia, Kansas, can expect to start with a salary around $45,882. This initial pay is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $54,895, highlighting a gap that early-career professionals will need to plan for as they gain experience. The trajectory for salary growth is favorable; young athletic trainers can anticipate moving from this starting point to approximately $50,142 within a few years, eventually reaching the median. Given the projected annual growth rate of 4.63%, Emporia represents a reasonable market for new graduates, particularly for those seeking to establish a foothold in the field of athletic training while benefitting from a lower cost of living index of 90.9.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Emporia
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 Emporia
Entry-level athletic trainers in Emporia, KS typically start between $45,882 and $50,142 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $28,661 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $54,895 — 16.08% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Kansas of $40,000 represents just 87.18% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($45,882/year) in Emporia. 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 Emporia
- 1Research the Emporia market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $45,882 to $50,142, 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 KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Emporia, 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 Emporia for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Emporia'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 Emporia is $28,661 ( 62.47%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $45,882, experienced hygienists can earn up to $74,543.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,488
2025 BLS Actual
$43,852
2026 Current Est.
$45,882
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,488 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,017 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,106 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,301 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,663 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,852 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,882 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,007 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Emporia, KS grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,488 in 2019 to $43,852 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $48,007. New graduates entering the Emporia job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia 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 Emporia
New grads in Emporia should focus on securing positions with high school athletic training services and industrial employers, as these are the primary avenues for entry-level roles. High schools often outsource their athletic training needs to local hospital sports medicine programs that frequently hire newly credentialed professionals. Currently, learning the credentials necessary for this field is essential, including earning a master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program and obtaining certification through the BOC. New grads also should consider gaining specialized credentials, which can significantly boost starting pay in Kansas. Given that the occupational therapy landscape has shifted since the 2022 transition to a master’s degree requirement, young trainers who aim for roles in industrial settings may find themselves earning 30-50% more than traditional school-based positions. As they build their careers in the first few years, salaries in this market can grow realistically alongside experience and skills, paving the way for more growth opportunities in the future.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for athletic trainers in Emporia in 2026?
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Is athletic training school worth it in Emporia?
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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 Emporia. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Emporia 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