Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Grand Prairie, TX: $33.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Grand Prairie, TX runs $33.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,301 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Grand Prairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,177 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Athletic trainers in Grand Prairie, TX, earn a median hourly rate of $33.80, placing them above the national median of $31.45 for similar roles. This competitive rate is significant for those working in various environments, such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and industrial clinics. For part-time practitioners, who may work only three days a week, or per-diem athletic trainers, this hourly pay means they can earn a practical living, especially when catering to sports events or high-demand training scenarios. The overall hourly range here spans from about $24.33 for entry-level positions to $49.81 for highly experienced trainers, reinforcing the financial incentives for those entering the field and aspiring to specialize in rigorous environments.
About the Grand Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.33 | $194.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.38 | $243.08 |
| Median (P50) | $33.80 | $270.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.50 | $331.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.81 | $398.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Prairie
Based on $33.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.80/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Prairie, TX can expect to earn approximately $70,295 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,555. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Prairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Prairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,351.82 | $5,858 | $70,295 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $811.09 | $3,515 | $42,177 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $540.73 | $2,343 | $28,118 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Grand Prairie) | $33.80 |
| 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 Grand Prairie, TX earn a median of $70,301 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.47% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 1.10% above the Texas state average of $69,536.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.80/hr = $42,177/year (purchasing power: $43,934).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,295/year (purchasing power: $73,224).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Grand Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Grand Prairie grew 29.1% from $25.03/hr (2019) to $32.30/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.36/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 Grand Prairie 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 Grand Prairie
For those considering part-time positions, working around 24 hours per week translates to an annual takeaway that, while less than full-time roles, can still be respectable. Per-diem athletic trainers often negotiate rates that are significantly higher due to the event-based nature of their jobs; game coverage typically offers between $200 and $500 per event, showcasing a lucrative side of the profession. Additionally, industrial settings tend to offer higher hourly rates, as companies like Toyota or Boeing often pay between $50 and $80 per hour due to the specialized needs of their workforce. Many athletic trainers will weigh the benefits of consistent hours and benefits in educational settings against higher per-hour rates in industries where healthcare coverage is absent. When considering job offers, negotiations can focus on the balance of hourly rate versus benefits, a critical aspect for professionals in Grand Prairie.
More salary data for Grand Prairie, 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 Grand Prairie. 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 Grand Prairie 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