Athletic Trainer Salary in Mesa, AZ: $64,254 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Mesa, AZ earns a median $64,254/year (≈ $30.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Mesa's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $65,232 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Mesa, AZ can expect an annual median salary of $64,254 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease of 1.77% compared to the national median of $65,415. This local estimate is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and indicates a salary range that spans from $49,356 at the 10th percentile to $92,475 at the 90th percentile. For those contemplating a career in this field, it’s essential to understand the inherent trade-off between working in a school environment with a school-year contract versus the potential for year-round employment in industrial settings, which often yield additional compensation. Athletic trainers working in high schools, colleges, or professional sports teams can have varying experiences and pay scales depending on the employing institution and the nature of their contract.
About the Mesa Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,356 | $23.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,513 | $27.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,254 | $30.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,150 | $37.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,475 | $44.46 |
Median Salary Position
1.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mesa
In Mesa, AZ, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,119 (2026 est.). At $64,254, the local median is 1.77% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mesa Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Mesa median: $64,254/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $64,448 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -1.77% less |
Athletic Trainers in Mesa, AZ earn a median of $64,254 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.77% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.30% below the Arizona state average of $64,448.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mesa has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mesa, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $64,254 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,232 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,581
2025 BLS Actual
$61,411
2026 Current Est.
$64,254
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,581 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,976 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,561 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,885 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,902 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,402 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,411 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,254 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,229 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mesa metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $47,581 (2019) to $61,411 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,229 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,648 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mesa 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,356 – $56,513 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,513 – $64,254 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,254 – $77,150 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,150 – $92,475 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Mesa
Currently, there are about 98 athletic trainers employed in Mesa, indicating a steady demand for skilled professionals in this field. The area's cost of living index sits at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which can influence the effective take-home pay for these trainers. While high schools and colleges offer stable work during the academic year, those employed in occupational health environments, such as at Toyota or Boeing, tend to earn higher wages due to year-round contracts. Variations in pay are also influenced by factors such as job responsibilities (head athletic trainer vs. assistant), stipends for extra hours, and specialized certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT. For athletic trainers looking to maximize their salary in Mesa, pursuing roles in industrial settings, seeking out additional certifications, and negotiating for evening or weekend event stipends can significantly enhance their overall earnings.
More salary data for Mesa, AZ:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,411 for athletic trainersin the Mesa metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mesa 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