Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Ponca City, OK: $25.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Ponca City, OK runs $25.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,028 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Ponca City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,423 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ponca City, Oklahoma, the athletic trainer hourly pay is projected at $25.98 for 2026, which is significantly lower than the national average of $31.45 per hour. This wage impacts both part-time athletic trainers, who may work just three days a week, and those looking for per-diem opportunities, which often arise in various settings like high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional sports organizations. The hourly pay range allows entry-level practitioners to earn around $21.98, while experienced trainers can command up to $34.75 per hour. The estimated rates are synthesized from annual salary data, providing a basis for professionals assessing their potential earnings within Ponca City’s competitive landscape.
About the Ponca City Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.98 | $175.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.93 | $191.43 |
| Median (P50) | $25.98 | $207.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.23 | $241.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.75 | $277.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ponca City
Based on $25.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.98/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ponca City, OK can expect to earn approximately $54,038 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,176. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ponca City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ponca City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,039.19 | $4,503 | $54,038 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $623.51 | $2,702 | $32,423 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $415.67 | $1,801 | $21,615 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Ponca City) | $25.98 |
| 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 Ponca City, OK earn a median of $54,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.41% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.10% below the Oklahoma state average of $58,157.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.98/hr = $32,423/year (purchasing power: $36,471).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,038/year (purchasing power: $60,785).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Ponca City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Ponca City grew 29.1% from $19.24/hr (2019) to $24.83/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.18/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 Ponca 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 Ponca City
Evaluating the financial landscape for athletic trainers highlights significant earning disparities, particularly for those considering part-time commitment versus full-time positions. A part-time athletic trainer working three days a week (roughly 24 hours) would realistically see an annual income of about $30,000, contrasting sharply with full-time colleagues. Per diem roles also vary, with athletic trainers covering events earning between $200-$500 per game and those in industrial settings potentially making $50-$80 per hour at large facilities like Toyota or FedEx. Different employers such as secondary schools, universities, and clinics contribute to diverse pay rates, where academic settings often provide lower hourly wages compared to industrial counterparts that offer benefits as trade-offs. Consequently, successful negotiation in Ponca City could involve weighing immediate hourly rates against long-term benefits, arming professionals with insights to make informed decisions about their career paths in this evolving field.
More salary data for Ponca City, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Ponca 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
Salary data for Ponca City 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