Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in El Paso, TX: $36.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in El Paso, TX runs $36.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,595 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against El Paso's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.9, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,363 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Paso, TX, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $36.35, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.45. This competitive pay reflects the growing demand for skilled professionals in various settings, such as high school athletic training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional sports team training rooms. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the potential earning reflects the hourly rate across a flexible schedule, allowing for work-life balance in a profession that can span roles in military bases, industrial clinics, and outpatient facilities. The hourly pay ranges from $24.57 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $58.70 for experienced trainers at the top tier (90th percentile), according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.57 | $196.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.34 | $234.71 |
| Median (P50) | $36.35 | $290.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.72 | $325.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.70 | $469.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Paso
Based on $36.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.35/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Paso, TX can expect to earn approximately $75,605 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,618. With a cost-of-living index of 89.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Paso.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Paso
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,453.94 | $6,300 | $75,605 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $872.36 | $3,780 | $45,363 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $581.58 | $2,520 | $30,242 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (El Paso) | $36.35 |
| 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 El Paso, TX earn a median of $75,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.56% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 8.70% above the Texas state average of $69,545.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.35/hr = $45,363/year (purchasing power: $50,453).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,605/year (purchasing power: $84,088).
CoL index: 89.912 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in El Paso grew 45.0% from $23.96/hr (2019) to $34.74/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.03/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 El Paso 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 El Paso
For athletic trainers seeking part-time opportunities, the annual income can vary significantly based on weekly hours compared to full-time roles. Working a part-time schedule at 24 hours weekly translates into an annual take-home of around $45,197, which can be incredibly appealing for those needing flexibility. Conversely, per-diem athletic trainers often earn between $200 and $500 per event, highlighting the potential for lucrative short-term engagements, especially during high-profile college bowl games or playoffs where stipends can soar to $1,000. Hourly rates vary across employer types in El Paso; typically, schools offer lower rates, while industrial settings, such as at large firms like Toyota or FedEx, might pay anywhere from $50 to $80 an hour. Some athletic trainers might choose lower-paying school positions for benefits like health insurance over higher hourly rates without. When negotiating, it’s vital to consider the comprehensive trade-offs involved, including potential shifts in pay for guaranteed benefits, ensuring that trainers position themselves effectively in the competitive El Paso job market for the best overall compensation package.
More salary data for El Paso, TX:
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 El Paso. 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, 6-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