Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Urbandale, IA: $27.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Urbandale, IA runs $27.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,500 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Urbandale's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,898 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbandale, Iowa, the projected median hourly pay for athletic trainers is $27.16, which falls below the national median of $31.45. This hourly rate presents various opportunities for professionals working part-time or in per-diem positions, particularly in diverse settings such as high school athletic training rooms, college facilities, and industrial workplace clinics. For part-time athletic trainers working approximately three days a week, the compensation can provide a solid income, especially when considering the hourly range that spans from $22.10 for entry-level positions to $37.25 for top earners. It's important to keep in mind that these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, with potential income heavily reliant on the type of employers and specific roles within Urbandale's athletic training landscape.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.10 | $176.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.53 | $196.20 |
| Median (P50) | $27.16 | $217.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.02 | $256.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.25 | $297.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbandale
Based on $27.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.16/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbandale, IA can expect to earn approximately $56,497 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,594. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbandale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbandale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,086.48 | $4,708 | $56,497 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $651.89 | $2,825 | $33,898 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $434.59 | $1,883 | $22,599 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Urbandale) | $27.16 |
| 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 Urbandale, IA earn a median of $56,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.63% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $59,163.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.16/hr = $33,898/year (purchasing power: $37,498).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,497/year (purchasing power: $62,497).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Urbandale grew 29.1% from $20.11/hr (2019) to $25.96/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.42/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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale
For those considering part-time work in Urbandale, an athletic trainer working just three days a week, amounting to around 24 hours, may find their annual earnings significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, yet still viable given the local context. Per-diem athletic trainer pay in Urbandale can vary widely, with game coverage often compensated between $200 and $500 per event. Furthermore, industrial settings might offer more lucrative hourly rates ranging from $50 to $80 for contracted athletic trainers who tend to work in environments like Toyota or FedEx. The variance in hourly wages across different employment types—from secondary schools to NCAA colleges and professional sports—can lead to significant decisions related to benefits, as some athletic trainers might prefer higher hourly rates in exchange for limited health insurance. This trade-off can shape one's career path, particularly for recent graduates transitioning from the now-defunct bachelor's degree pathway to a master's-level credential. When negotiating hourly pay in local settings, athletic trainers should consider the unique demands of Urbandale's environment, including local costs of living, to seek competitive compensation.
More salary data for Urbandale, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Urbandale in 2026?
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Career Resources
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 Urbandale. 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 Urbandale 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