Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Draper, UT: $47,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Draper, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $47,764 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Draper's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $48,689 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($64,005) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates seeking their first role in athletic training, Draper, UT presents a unique opportunity in the current job market. The starting athletic trainer salary in Draper is projected at $47,764, which represents a significant gap relative to the median annual salary of $64,005 in the city. Early-career professionals can realistically expect to grow from this entry-level pay, moving through the first quartile to approximately $54,789, and potentially reaching the city median within three to five years. Given the robust growth rate of 4.63% projected for athletic trainers, Draper offers promising prospects for newcomers eager to establish their careers.
About the Draper Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Draper
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 Draper
Entry-level athletic trainers in Draper, UT typically start between $47,764 and $54,789 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $41,707 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $64,005 — 2.16% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Utah of $48,000 represents just 100.49% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($47,764/year) in Draper. 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 Draper
- 1Research the Draper market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $47,764 to $54,789, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Draper, 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 Draper for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Draper'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 Draper is $41,707 ( 87.32%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $47,764, experienced hygienists can earn up to $89,471.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,656
2025 BLS Actual
$45,650
2026 Current Est.
$47,764
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Draper (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,656 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,248 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,019 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,587 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,913 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,082 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,975 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Draper, UT grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,656 in 2019 to $45,650 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $49,975. New graduates entering the Draper job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Draper 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 Draper
In Draper, most employers that hire newly minted athletic trainers are concentrated in high school athletic services and various industrial settings, often seeking candidates through specialized staffing firms. While collegiate positions typically require additional experience such as graduate assistantships or internships, new grads can find steady opportunities in local high schools and sports medicine programs associated with hospitals. Gaining the necessary credentials is essential for improved new grad athletic trainer pay in UT. The path includes earning a master's degree from a CAATE-accredited program, passing the BOC national exam for ATC certification, and obtaining a state license. Those entering the industrial sector may benefit considerably, as these roles can command salaries that are 30-50% higher than traditional school-based settings. For early-career athletic trainers, salaries can be expected to improve steadily over the initial years, particularly with ongoing professional development and specialization in their field.
More salary data for Draper, UT:
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 Draper. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Draper 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