Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Fort Collins, CO: $32.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Fort Collins, CO runs $32.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,054 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Fort Collins's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,832 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Fort Collins, Colorado, can anticipate a median hourly rate of $32.72 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $31.45. This figure is notable for both full-time and part-time practitioners, particularly for those working in settings such as high school training rooms or college athletic facilities. Part-time athletic trainers, for example, working three days a week might find this hourly rate appealing, as it supports flexible work schedules. The expected hourly range for athletic trainers in the area stretches from $25.14 for entry-level positions to an impressive $47.00 for top earners, allowing for varied earning potentials depending on experience and specific job responsibilities. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, providing a solid foundation for understanding the compensation landscape in this rapidly evolving field.
About the Fort Collins Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.14 | $201.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.94 | $223.49 |
| Median (P50) | $32.72 | $261.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.37 | $314.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.00 | $376.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Collins
Based on $32.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.72/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Collins, CO can expect to earn approximately $68,053 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,261. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fort Collins.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Collins
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,308.71 | $5,671 | $68,053 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $785.23 | $3,403 | $40,832 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $523.48 | $2,268 | $27,221 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Fort Collins) | $32.72 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Athletic Trainers in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $68,054 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.03% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 0.90% below the Colorado state average of $68,673.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.72/hr = $40,832/year (purchasing power: $38,887).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,053/year (purchasing power: $64,812).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Fort Collins grew 19.3% from $26.20/hr (2019) to $31.27/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.23/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem athletic trainers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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.
Working as an Hourly Athletic Trainer in Fort Collins
In terms of annual income, part-time athletic trainers working two 12-hour shifts each week would generate about $25,000, which is considerably less than full-time colleagues who could expect up to $68,054 yearly. However, per diem opportunities can enhance financial prospects, as event coverage typically yields $200-$500 per game. Alternatively, industrial athletic trainers often command hourly rates ranging from $50-$80 in larger corporate settings like those at Toyota or FedEx. Each employer type in Fort Collins presents different hourly pay scales; while high schools may offer lower compensation, colleges and professional teams often provide more lucrative contracts. Additionally, athletic trainers may need to assess the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower wages with health insurance packages. For those negotiating hourly rates, it would be beneficial to leverage local and national trends, comparing job offers to ensure competitive pay within the Fort Collins market.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for athletic trainers in Fort Collins. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fort Collins 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