Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Rio Rancho, NM: $30.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Rio Rancho, NM runs $30.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,560 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Rio Rancho's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,142 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rio Rancho, athletic trainers earn a median hourly pay of $30.56, slightly below the national median of $31.45. This hourly rate reflects the unique job environment for athletic trainers in the city, which can range from high school training rooms to college athletic facilities and even professional sports team training centers. For those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, this rate translates into approximately $610 for a typical 20-hour workweek. The hourly pay range extends from $22.79 at the lower end to $44.29 at the higher end, illustrating the spectrum of earnings based on experience, setting, and employer type. Although these figures are derived from projected data for 2026, they provide valuable insights into the financial landscape of athletic trainers in Rio Rancho, NM.
About the Rio Rancho Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.79 | $182.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.32 | $210.60 |
| Median (P50) | $30.56 | $244.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.00 | $295.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.29 | $354.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rio Rancho
Based on $30.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.56/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rio Rancho, NM can expect to earn approximately $63,570 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,675. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rio Rancho.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rio Rancho
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,222.50 | $5,297 | $63,570 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $733.50 | $3,178 | $38,142 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $489.00 | $2,119 | $25,428 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Rio Rancho) | $30.56 |
| 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 Rio Rancho, NM earn a median of $63,560 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.90% above the New Mexico state average of $61,768.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.56/hr = $38,142/year (purchasing power: $40,405).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,570/year (purchasing power: $67,341).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Rio Rancho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Rio Rancho grew 29.1% from $22.63/hr (2019) to $29.21/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.98/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 Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho
Exploring the financial realities for part-time athletic trainers in Rio Rancho reveals significant earning potential when working three days a week. For those dedicating 24 hours a week, annual pay amounts to approximately $38,323. This contrasts sharply with full-time trainers, who can also benefit from secure employment and perks. Per-diem rates in this field vary significantly, with game coverage paying anywhere from $200 to $500 per event, while industrial settings often bill $50-$80 per hour. Negotiating hourly rates may require balancing immediate pay against benefits such as health insurance, leading some trainers to accept lower hourly wages for the stability that comes with it. Employers, from secondary schools to industrial health settings like Toyota and FedEx, provide varied compensation packages, influencing the decision-making process for many professionals in the field. Just as the context of athletic training shifts with the 2022 transition to a master's degree requirement, so too does the compensation structure present new challenges and opportunities within the marketplace.
More salary data for Rio Rancho, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Rio Rancho in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Rio Rancho?
Are athletic trainers in Rio Rancho paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Rio Rancho?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in Rio Rancho?
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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 Rio Rancho. 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 Rio Rancho 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