Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Springfield, MO: $27.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Springfield, MO runs $27.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,427 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Springfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.6, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,859 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Springfield, Missouri, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $27.13, which is significantly below the national median of $31.45. This disparity can shape the experiences of part-time and per-diem professionals, particularly those who work three days a week in settings such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and outpatient clinics. The hourly range for this profession spans from $23.55 for entry-level positions to $34.53 for the top earners in the field. For athletic trainers who take on per-diem roles, working events in various settings can provide flexible income opportunities; however, it's important to consider how these figures reflect the cost of living in Springfield, which is lower than the national average.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.55 | $188.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.57 | $204.57 |
| Median (P50) | $27.13 | $217.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.81 | $262.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.53 | $276.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Springfield
Based on $27.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.13/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Springfield, MO can expect to earn approximately $56,432 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,557. With a cost-of-living index of 88.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Springfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Springfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,085.22 | $4,703 | $56,432 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $651.13 | $2,822 | $33,859 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $434.09 | $1,881 | $22,573 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Springfield) | $27.13 |
| 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 Springfield, MO earn a median of $56,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.74% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 10.00% below the Missouri state average of $62,697.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.13/hr = $33,859/year (purchasing power: $38,222).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,432/year (purchasing power: $63,703).
CoL index: 88.585 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Springfield grew 18.5% from $21.88/hr (2019) to $25.93/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.39/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 Springfield 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 Springfield
For those considering part-time work in Springfield's athletic training sector, the earning potential can be quite different compared to full-time positions. An athletic trainer working 24 hours a week will see an annual take-home pay that is significantly reduced when compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem athletic trainer pay in Springfield can vary widely; for instance, covering a game might yield between $200 and $500 per event, while industrial settings often offer rates of $50 to $80 per hour. Athletic trainers in educational environments such as high schools and colleges might earn less, balancing lower hourly pay with the benefits of health insurance that some industrial or private settings do not provide. As a result, many professionals weigh their options carefully, negotiating hourly wages based on benefits versus purely financial compensation. Understanding the varied hourly rates across employer types—ranging from secondary schools to professional sports teams—can be invaluable for athletic trainers navigating their career in Springfield, MO.
More salary data for Springfield, MO:
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 Springfield. 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, 5-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