Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Salina, KS: $27.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Salina, KS runs $27.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,538 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Salina's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,525 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Salina, Kansas, can expect a median hourly rate of $27.66 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $31.45. This discrepancy reflects not only local demand for athletic trainers but also the range of employment settings within the region. For part-time trainers working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into flexible opportunities across various environments such as high school athletic training rooms, college sports facilities, and outpatient clinics. The hourly wage range from $23.11 for entry-level positions to $36.98 for experienced professionals, provides ample opportunity for both new and seasoned athletic trainers to find their niche in this growing field. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, indicate that athletic trainers have the potential to earn significant income, even if their typical roles require different engagement levels based on their work settings.
About the Salina 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) | $23.11 | $184.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.39 | $203.15 |
| Median (P50) | $27.66 | $221.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.96 | $255.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.98 | $295.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salina
Based on $27.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.66/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salina, KS can expect to earn approximately $57,541 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,197. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salina.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salina
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,106.57 | $4,795 | $57,541 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $663.94 | $2,877 | $34,525 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $442.63 | $1,918 | $23,017 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Salina) | $27.66 |
| 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 Salina, KS earn a median of $57,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $59,440.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.66/hr = $34,525/year (purchasing power: $37,981).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,541/year (purchasing power: $63,302).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Salina grew 29.1% from $20.49/hr (2019) to $26.44/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.95/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 Salina 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 Salina
When considering part-time work at an hourly rate of $27.66, athletic trainers might see annual earnings lower than those of full-time counterparts, translating to around $43,000 for a 3-day workweek totaling approximately 24 hours weekly. For those in per-diem roles, whether covering high school games or working with industrial clients, the pay structure often shifts dramatically, with game coverage ranging from $200-$500 per event. In contrast, industrial athletic trainers often command hourly rates between $50 and $80, showcasing significant potential earnings in non-traditional settings such as factories and clinics associated with large corporations like Toyota or FedEx. Different employer types in Salina provide varying pay scales: high school settings typically offer lower wages while collegiate positions may provide opportunities for additional stipends during playoff events. However, some trainers might accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, underscoring the importance of effective negotiation strategies for hourly workers in the local market. Being informed about the specific demands of different venues and leveraging those insights can ensure athletic trainers in Salina maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Salina, 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 Salina. 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 Salina 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