Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $56,426 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Lake Stevens, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $56,426 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lake Stevens's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,538 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($67,948) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates considering a career as an athletic trainer in Lake Stevens, Washington, expectations for starting salaries in 2026 present an optimistic outlook. Entry-level positions typically start at about $56,426, which is modest compared to the city's median annual salary of $67,948. This indicates a gap that new professionals can aim to bridge within a few years, as early-career athletic trainers can expect growth to around $62,335 after gaining experience, and potentially reaching the median salary within three to five years. The local job market seems to favor new grads, particularly as demand for athletic trainers continues to expand, thanks in part to the transition to requiring a master's degree for entry into the profession since 2022, creating a competitive edge for those entering the field.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lake Stevens
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 Lake Stevens
Entry-level athletic trainers in Lake Stevens, WA typically start between $56,426 and $62,335 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $34,335 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $67,948 — 3.87% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Washington of $65,000 represents just 115.20% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($56,426/year) in Lake Stevens. 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 Lake Stevens
- 1Research the Lake Stevens market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $56,426 to $62,335, 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 Lake Stevens, 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 Lake Stevens for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lake Stevens'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 Lake Stevens is $34,335 ( 60.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $56,426, experienced hygienists can earn up to $90,761.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,035
2025 BLS Actual
$53,929
2026 Current Est.
$56,426
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,035 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,915 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,404 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,332 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,011 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,929 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,426 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,038 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Lake Stevens, WA grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,035 in 2019 to $53,929 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $59,038. New graduates entering the Lake Stevens job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens
Employers that actively recruit entry-level athletic trainers in Lake Stevens include high school athletic departments and hospital sports medicine programs, where many new grads find their first roles. Additionally, industrial sectors such as factories and distribution centers are known to offer significantly higher wages compared to traditional school settings, with many positions paying 30-50% more. To enhance earning potential, new graduates should obtain credentials such as the ATC designation from the BOC following completion of a CAATE-accredited master's program, along with state licensing. This foundational process is coupled with the pursuit of certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT, which are optional but advantageous. In the first few years, athletic trainers can anticipate a reasonable salary progression depending on their area of employment and continued professional development, aligning well with the 4.63% annual growth anticipated in this profession.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, 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 Lake Stevens. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Stevens 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