Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Gardner, KS: $26.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Gardner, KS runs $26.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,141 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Gardner's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,089 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer hourly pay in Gardner, Kansas, is projected at $26.51, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.45. This gap may impact part-time professionals working in diverse environments such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and outpatient clinics. For those opting for part-time work, such as a consistent 3-day workweek, the role offers reasonable earnings but may not match full-time compensation. Entry-level athletic trainers can expect to earn $22.36 per hour, while those with more experience can reach an hourly rate of up to $36.29, appealing to a variety of career paths within the field.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.36 | $178.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.36 | $194.86 |
| Median (P50) | $26.51 | $212.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.36 | $250.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.29 | $290.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gardner
Based on $26.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.51/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gardner, KS can expect to earn approximately $55,148 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,816. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gardner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gardner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,060.53 | $4,596 | $55,148 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $636.32 | $2,757 | $33,089 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $424.21 | $1,838 | $22,059 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Gardner) | $26.51 |
| 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 Gardner, KS earn a median of $55,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $59,483.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.51/hr = $33,089/year (purchasing power: $36,401).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,148/year (purchasing power: $60,668).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Gardner grew 29.1% from $19.63/hr (2019) to $25.34/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.74/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 Gardner 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 Gardner
Examining the earning potential for athletic trainers reveals a significant distinction between full-time and part-time opportunities, especially in a place like Gardner. A part-time athletic trainer working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, would take home approximately $33,125 annually, a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts earning over $55,141. The per diem opportunities in this profession further illustrate diverse income streams, with event coverage often paying between $200 and $500 for each occurrence, while industrial settings may pay from $50-$80 per hour. Each type of employer has different compensation structures; for instance, secondary schools might offer lower hourly rates than professional sports teams or industrial settings, such as Toyota or Boeing. Some athletic trainers may accept reduced hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Negotiating pay can be pivotal, especially for hourly workers in Gardner, where presenting a well-researched proposal and understanding local demand can strengthen one's case for higher compensation.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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 Gardner. 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 Gardner 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