Athletic Trainer Salary in Meridian, ID: $62,574 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Meridian, ID earns a median $62,574/year (≈ $30.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $65,660 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

The projected athletic trainer salary in Meridian, Idaho, for 2026 stands at $62,574, which is about 4.34% lower than the national median of $65,415. This compensation reflects a salary range between $49,283 at the lower 10th percentile and $91,364 at the upper 90th percentile. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost characteristics, underscore a distinct trend; while many athletic trainers work in traditional sports settings, those in industrial environments often command higher salaries. As Meridian's job market continues to develop, competition among employers in various sectors will ultimately shape these figures, making it an intriguing area to observe in the coming years.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,283 | $23.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,737 | $26.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,574 | $30.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,900 | $35.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,364 | $43.92 |
Median Salary Position
4.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, ID, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,081 (2026 est.). At $62,574, the local median is 4.34% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meridian Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Meridian median: $62,574/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $62,325 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.34% less |
Athletic Trainers in Meridian, ID earn a median of $62,574 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.34% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.40% above the Idaho state average of $62,325.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meridian, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,574 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,660 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,336
2025 BLS Actual
$59,805
2026 Current Est.
$62,574
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,336 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,695 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,317 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,502 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,414 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,741 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,805 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,574 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,471 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,336 (2019) to $59,805 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,471 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,135 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $49,283 – $55,737 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,737 – $62,574 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,574 – $73,900 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,900 – $91,364 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Meridian
In Meridian, there are currently 30 athletic trainers in the local market, indicating a stable employment landscape for this profession. The cost of living index for the area is relatively low at 95.3, suggesting that despite the slightly lower pay compared to the national average, take-home purchasing power may remain favorable. Among employers, industrial settings—such as those related to occupational health for companies like Toyota or FedEx—typically offer the highest salaries, while roles in high school athletic training tend to pay less. Factors contributing to the variations in pay include the type of employment setting, the level of responsibility (such as head vs. assistant positions), and any additional certifications attained. To maximize earnings in Meridian, athletic trainers should consider pursuing roles in high-demand industrial settings, gaining specialized certifications, and seeking opportunities with professional sports teams when eligible.
More salary data for Meridian, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can athletic trainers make $100K in Meridian?
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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 $59,805 for athletic trainersin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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