Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Topeka, KS: $28.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Topeka, KS runs $28.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,036 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Topeka's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,027 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Topeka, KS, the projected athletic trainer hourly pay for 2026 is $28.87, which is lower than the national median of $31.45. This rate reflects the income potential of athletic trainers who work in various settings, such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional sports team training rooms. For those employed part-time, such as working three days a week, this hourly rate offers a viable income, resulting in approximately $1,853 per month before taxes. The hourly wage ranges from $20.76 for entry-level positions to $42.56 for seasoned professionals, indicating that there is significant earning potential as experience increases. While these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, they provide a clear picture of what athletic trainers can expect hourly in Topeka, especially in a variety of workplace environments like military bases and outpatient clinics.
About the Topeka 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) | $20.76 | $166.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.91 | $207.25 |
| Median (P50) | $28.87 | $230.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.38 | $283.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.56 | $340.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Topeka
Based on $28.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.87/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Topeka, KS can expect to earn approximately $60,044 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,641. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Topeka.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Topeka
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,154.70 | $5,004 | $60,044 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $692.82 | $3,002 | $36,027 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $461.88 | $2,001 | $24,018 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Topeka) | $28.87 |
| 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 Topeka, KS earn a median of $60,036 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.22% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.00% above the Kansas state average of $59,441.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.87/hr = $36,027/year (purchasing power: $39,633).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,044/year (purchasing power: $66,055).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Topeka grew 29.1% from $21.38/hr (2019) to $27.59/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.20/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 Topeka 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 Topeka
Economic realities for athletic trainers in Topeka vary significantly by employment type, impacting their take-home earnings. Part-time athletic trainers working 24 hours a week might bring home about $22,236 annually, while full-time trainers can surpass $60,036. Per diem and agency work can further change earnings dynamics; for instance, coverage for games and events typically pays between $200 and $500 per day, while industrial athletic trainers may see billing rates of $50 to $80 per hour in corporate settings like Toyota and Boeing. These disparate rates highlight the crucial differences in payment structures across different job types—from secondary schools, colleges, and professional sports to industrial health roles. While some trainers may opt for positions with lower hourly rates that come with substantial benefits, others may prefer higher rates without benefits. Negotiating for pay in Topeka often requires understanding the local market and considering the trade-offs between immediate income and long-term benefits in this professional field, particularly as athletic training transitions to a master’s level education.
More salary data for Topeka, 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 Topeka. 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 Topeka 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