Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Lacey, WA: $55,194 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Lacey, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $55,194 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lacey's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $51,391 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($68,982) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lacey, Washington, the entry-level athletic trainer salary for 2026 is projected to start at approximately $55,194, which marks a realistic benchmark for new graduates entering the field. This starting salary is considerably below the city median of $68,982, indicating a gap that early-career professionals can expect to bridge as they gain more experience. Over the first three to five years, it is reasonable for new athletic trainers to progress towards the $61,891 mark, which represents the 25th percentile for salaries in this field. With the ongoing demand for athletic trainers and an annual growth rate of 4.63%, Lacey currently presents a solid job market for newcomers, particularly as healthcare and sports programs continue to expand.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lacey
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 Lacey
Entry-level athletic trainers in Lacey, WA typically start between $55,194 and $61,891 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $45,791 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $68,982 — 5.45% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Washington of $65,000 represents just 117.77% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($55,194/year) in Lacey. 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 Lacey
- 1Research the Lacey market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $55,194 to $61,891, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lacey, 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 Lacey for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lacey'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 Lacey is $45,791 ( 82.96%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $55,194, experienced hygienists can earn up to $100,985.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,270
2025 BLS Actual
$52,752
2026 Current Est.
$55,194
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,467 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,434 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,278 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,825 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,752 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,194 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,750 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Lacey, WA grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $34,270 in 2019 to $52,752 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $57,750. New graduates entering the Lacey job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lacey 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 Lacey
Among the employers hiring athletic trainers in Lacey, high school athletic services and hospital sports medicine programs are typically the most accessible for new graduates. Since many entry-level positions are concentrated in educational settings, gaining additional credentials such as a Master's degree from a CAATE-accredited program and passing the BOC national exam to obtain the ATC credential is essential. These qualifications not only fulfill the 2022 requirements but also enhance earning potential significantly; industrial and occupational athletic training roles, for instance, can offer salaries up to 30-50% higher than those in traditional settings. As early-career athletic trainers navigate their first 1-3 years in the profession, focusing on networking through NATA and seeking specialty certifications can prove beneficial for salary advancement as opportunities arise to transition into higher-paying environments.
More salary data for Lacey, WA:
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 Lacey. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lacey 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