Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Waco, TX: $28.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Waco, TX runs $28.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,357 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Waco's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,609 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waco, Texas, the 2026 median hourly pay for athletic trainers is projected to be $28.53, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $31.45. For professionals working part-time, such as those in high school training rooms or college athletic facilities, this hourly rate translates to about $1,142.04 for a three-day workweek (24 hours), leading to an annual earning potential that is reflective of the typical hours worked. Entry-level athletic trainers can expect to earn around $28.51 per hour, while those reaching the upper end of the pay spectrum may see rates as high as $48.53 per hour. This data is grounded in official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates, providing an insight into the salaries within various athletic training settings, from professional sports teams to outpatient clinics.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.51 | $228.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.53 | $228.26 |
| Median (P50) | $28.53 | $228.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.72 | $317.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.53 | $388.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waco
Based on $28.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.53/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waco, TX can expect to earn approximately $59,348 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,239. With a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,141.30 | $4,946 | $59,348 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $684.78 | $2,967 | $35,609 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.52 | $1,978 | $23,739 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Waco) | $28.53 |
| 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 Waco, TX earn a median of $59,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.26% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 14.70% below the Texas state average of $69,586.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.53/hr = $35,609/year (purchasing power: $38,475).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,348/year (purchasing power: $64,125).
CoL index: 92.55 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Waco grew 3.6% from $26.31/hr (2019) to $27.27/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.85/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 Waco 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 Waco
Exploring part-time earnings further reveals that a Waco athletic trainer working three days a week could earn about $59,357 annually, significantly less than a full-time practitioner. The per diem athletic trainer pay in Waco adds another layer to compensation, with game coverage typically offering between $200 to $500 per event, while industrial athletic trainers at major companies like Toyota and Boeing report billing rates of $50 to $80 per hour. Furthermore, differences in hourly rates among employer types can be notable, where secondary schools and community colleges tend to pay less compared to NCAA institutions or professional teams. Athletic trainers accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits must weigh the trade-off between immediate financial gains and long-term security, especially in health insurance. Those negotiating salaries should consider the local market dynamics and the demand for their specialty to make informed decisions about their employment terms.
More salary data for Waco, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Waco in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Waco?
Are athletic trainers in Waco paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Waco?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in Waco?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Waco. 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, 7-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