Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Kansas City, MO: $31.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Kansas City, MO runs $31.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,367 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,826 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kansas City, Missouri, the projected median hourly pay for athletic trainers stands at $31.91, surpassing the national median of $31.45. This hourly rate represents significant earning potential for both full-time and part-time professionals working in various settings, such as high schools, colleges, and professional athletic teams. Athletic trainers in Kansas City can expect to earn between $25.89 at the lower end of the spectrum to $39.54 for those at the higher end, reflecting the diverse range of experience and specialization within the profession. The hourly compensation not only supports full-time roles but also suits those in part-time positions, allowing for flexibility in work-life balance, catering to the needs of athletic trainers operating in high-pressure environments like training rooms and outpatient clinics.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.89 | $207.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.11 | $224.91 |
| Median (P50) | $31.91 | $255.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.99 | $303.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.54 | $316.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $31.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.91/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, MO can expect to earn approximately $66,377 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,295. With a cost-of-living index of 92.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,276.49 | $5,531 | $66,377 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $765.89 | $3,319 | $39,826 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $510.59 | $2,213 | $26,551 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Kansas City) | $31.91 |
| 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 Kansas City, MO earn a median of $66,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.46% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 5.90% above the Missouri state average of $62,669.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.91/hr = $39,826/year (purchasing power: $43,036).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,377/year (purchasing power: $71,726).
CoL index: 92.543 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Kansas City grew 24.9% from $24.43/hr (2019) to $30.50/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.39/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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City
For athletic trainers opting for part-time work, particularly those committing to a 24-hour workweek, their income can vary considerably compared to full-time colleagues. A part-time athletic trainer might bring home an annual income significantly less than their full-time counterparts, but they can seek per diem opportunities to augment their earnings. Per diem athletic trainer pay in Kansas City ranges widely, with game coverage typically offering between $200 and $500 per event. In addition, industrial athletic trainers, working in corporate settings like Toyota or Boeing, frequently earn $50 to $80 per hour—a stark contrast to high school and college positions. While some may choose positions with lower hourly rates for the stability of health insurance benefits, others might prioritize higher hourly compensation. Successfully negotiating hourly rates can hinge on understanding the particular employer type, which determines compensation structures and available benefits in Kansas City’s diverse athletic training job market.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Kansas City in 2026?
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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 Kansas City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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