Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in The Dalles, OR: $52,330 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the The Dalles, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $52,330 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out The Dalles's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $51,004 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($62,204) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the athletic training field in The Dalles, Oregon, can expect a starting salary of around $52,330. While this figure sits below the city’s median annual salary for athletic trainers at $62,204, it represents a viable entry point for recently credentialed individuals eager to establish their careers. As they gain experience, these professionals can anticipate significant growth in their pay, with projections indicating moves to approximately $57,113 after a few years before potentially achieving the local median. The Dalles offers a relatively stable job market for fresh graduates, making it an attractive locale for those seeking to launch their careers in athletic training amidst a community with a growing focus on health and sports.
About the The Dalles Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in The Dalles
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 The Dalles
Entry-level athletic trainers in The Dalles, OR typically start between $52,330 and $57,113 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $32,586 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $62,204 — 4.91% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Oregon of $65,000 represents just 124.21% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($52,330/year) in The Dalles. 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 The Dalles
- 1Research the The Dalles market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $52,330 to $57,113, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in The Dalles, 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 The Dalles for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5The Dalles'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 The Dalles is $32,586 ( 62.27%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $52,330, experienced hygienists can earn up to $84,916.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,491
2025 BLS Actual
$50,014
2026 Current Est.
$52,330
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in The Dalles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,491 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,235 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,367 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,824 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,504 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,014 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,330 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,753 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in The Dalles, OR grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,491 in 2019 to $50,014 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $54,753. New graduates entering the The Dalles job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Dalles 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 The Dalles
Opportunities for new grad athletic trainers typically arise in high schools, where athletic training services are often outsourced to local hospital sports medicine programs, particularly in The Dalles. These environments are conducive to early-career professionals and provide essential experience before moving to more competitive settings like colleges or occupational roles. To enhance their earning potential, new athletic trainers should prioritize obtaining the requisite credentials, such as a Master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program and passing the BOC national exam for the ATC credential. Also, seeking state licensure or registration is mandatory. Given that the transition to a master's-level requirement took effect in 2022, those targeting industrial positions in settings like factories or distribution centers could see starting salaries that are 30-50% higher than traditional school roles. With dedicated effort, salary growth in the first few years can be realistic, leading to advances towards the higher end of the spectrum as gained experience and additional certifications, like those from NATA, come into play.
More salary data for The Dalles, OR:
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 The Dalles. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for The Dalles 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