Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $30.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in St. Cloud, MN runs $30.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,960 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,377 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Athletic trainers in St. Cloud, Minnesota find themselves earning a median hourly rate of $30.75, which falls slightly below the national hourly median of $31.45. For those considering part-time work or per-diem positions, this rate translates into various compensation structures suitable for jobs in high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, industrial clinics, military bases, and outpatient clinics. With an hourly range going from $22.68 at entry-level positions to as much as $44.56 for top earners, the pay dynamics reflect the diverse settings athletic trainers occupy. As the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise, driven by an annual growth rate of 4.63%, the hourly compensation remains an appealing aspect of working in this industry.
About the St. Cloud Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.68 | $181.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.99 | $223.91 |
| Median (P50) | $30.75 | $246.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.29 | $290.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.56 | $356.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $30.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.75/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $63,962 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,901. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,230.03 | $5,330 | $63,962 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.02 | $3,198 | $38,377 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.01 | $2,132 | $25,585 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (St. Cloud) | $30.75 |
| 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 St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $63,960 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.22% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $64,411.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.75/hr = $38,377/year (purchasing power: $38,961).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,962/year (purchasing power: $64,936).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in St. Cloud grew 29.1% from $22.77/hr (2019) to $29.39/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.17/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
Part-time athletic trainers working three days a week, averaging around 24 hours, can expect to take home a significantly lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts, proving challenging for those seeking financial stability. Many professionals also explore per-diem opportunities, with coverage for events often yielding between $200 to $500. Athletic trainers in industrial settings, such as those at companies like Toyota or Boeing, may command rates of $50 to $80 per hour, highlighting how employer type can dramatically influence earnings. While schools and colleges might offer lower hourly rates, they sometimes provide comprehensive healthcare benefits, leading trainers to evaluate the trade-offs between wages and job security. Negotiating hourly pay effectively in St. Cloud requires understanding local market rates and knowing not only one's value as an athletic trainer but also the nuances of hours and benefits tied to different employer categories.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
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 St. Cloud. 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 St. Cloud 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