Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Lufkin, TX: $31.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Lufkin, TX runs $31.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,032 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Lufkin's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,617 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lufkin, Texas, athletic trainers earn a median hourly pay of $31.74, slightly surpassing the national hourly median of $31.45. This competitive rate reflects the growing demand for skilled professionals across various settings, including high school athletic training rooms, college facilities, professional training environments, industrial clinics, and military bases. The hourly wage range starts at $25.53 for entry-level positions and extends to $43.14 for experienced trainers. This salary structure is especially relevant for those considering part-time roles, such as a three-day work week, or per-diem positions, which frequently offer flexible schedules in both educational and healthcare contexts. The annual figures are derived from state-level data estimates and allow trainers to better assess their financial opportunities against local market conditions.
About the Lufkin 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) | $25.53 | $204.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.41 | $227.26 |
| Median (P50) | $31.74 | $253.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.21 | $297.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.14 | $345.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lufkin
Based on $31.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.74/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lufkin, TX can expect to earn approximately $66,029 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,094. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lufkin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lufkin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,269.79 | $5,502 | $66,029 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $761.87 | $3,301 | $39,617 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.92 | $2,201 | $26,412 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Lufkin) | $31.74 |
| 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 Lufkin, TX earn a median of $66,032 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.94% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 5.10% below the Texas state average of $69,581.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.74/hr = $39,617/year (purchasing power: $41,268).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,029/year (purchasing power: $68,780).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Lufkin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Lufkin grew 29.1% from $23.51/hr (2019) to $30.34/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.21/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 Lufkin 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 Lufkin
When examining the earning potential for part-time athletic trainers in Lufkin, a typical schedule of 24 hours per week can yield an approximate take-home annual income that contrasts significantly with full-time roles. Per-diem athletic trainers often have varied compensation structures; event coverage typically ranges from $200 to $500 per game, while industrial contracts can charge $50 to $80 per hour at high-volume clients. Furthermore, positions in secondary schools tend to offer lower hourly rates due to budget constraints compared to their counterparts in NCAA institutions or professional sports teams, where hourly pay can reflect the intensity and competitiveness of the environment. The trade-offs across these roles frequently include evaluating the balance of hourly wages versus benefits; some athletic trainers choose lower hourly pay within school settings to secure health insurance, while others prefer higher compensation in freelance roles without such benefits. For those in Lufkin, understanding these dynamics and negotiating effectively based on specific job contexts is key to maximizing compensation in this evolving field.
More salary data for Lufkin, 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 Lufkin. 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 Lufkin 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