Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $47,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Lee's Summit, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $47,781 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lee's Summit's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $53,327 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($62,123) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates eager to enter the field of athletic training, the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Lee's Summit, MO, reflects a solid starting point. Expected to earn around $47,781 annually, fresh graduates will begin their careers at this baseline, which is notably below the city's median salary of $62,123. However, rising through the initial years, there is potential for significant salary growth to $54,420 at the 25th percentile, and even further up to the median within the first three to five years. Lee's Summit presents an encouraging job market for new athletic trainers, as the demand for qualified professionals continues to grow, driven by expanding athletic and wellness programs in schools and industrial settings.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lee's Summit
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 Lee's Summit
Entry-level athletic trainers in Lee's Summit, MO typically start between $47,781 and $54,420 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $43,827 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $62,123 — 5.03% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Missouri of $50,000 represents just 104.64% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($47,781/year) in Lee's Summit. 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 Lee's Summit
- 1Research the Lee's Summit market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $47,781 to $54,420, 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 MO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lee's Summit, 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 Lee's Summit for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lee's Summit'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 Lee's Summit is $43,827 ( 91.72%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $47,781, experienced hygienists can earn up to $91,608.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,667
2025 BLS Actual
$45,667
2026 Current Est.
$47,781
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,667 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,032 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,601 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,928 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,732 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,667 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,994 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Lee's Summit, MO grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,667 in 2019 to $45,667 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $49,994. New graduates entering the Lee's Summit job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit
Employers in Lee's Summit particularly seek new graduates for high school athletic trainer services, often partnering with hospital sports medicine programs, which frequently hire entry-level athletic trainers. Additionally, safety and ergonomics roles in industrial settings such as factories can be lucrative, with some positions offering pay rates significantly higher than traditional school roles—often 30-50% more. To enhance starting athletic trainer pay in Missouri, aspiring professionals should focus on obtaining a Master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program, passing the BOC national exam to gain the ATC credential, and securing a state license. Those looking to optimize their opportunities should consider enhancing their resumes with certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT. In the first one to three years, new graduates can realistically expect gradual salary increases, particularly if they strategically position themselves within higher-paying industrial roles that leverage their specialized training and credentials.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
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 Lee's Summit. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lee's Summit 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