Athletic Trainer Salary in Iowa: $55,830 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $55,830/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,759 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Iowa City ($62,660), Dubuque ($57,190), Sioux City ($56,926).
In 2026, the average median salary for athletic trainers in Iowa is projected to be $55,831, which is notably lower than the national median of $65,415, reflecting a difference of 14.7%. Within the state, Iowa City ranks as the highest-paying city, offering an average salary of $65,561, while West Des Moines comes in as the lowest at $51,753, indicating a salary gap of $13,808. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, local demand for athletic trainers, and available positions in educational and healthcare facilities. Iowa's licensing requirements for athletic trainers include completing a degree from an accredited program and passing a certification exam. The scope of practice laws in the state allow athletic trainers to perform a wide range of duties, which can enhance job opportunities. The projected growth rate for this profession in Iowa is 4.63%, indicating a steady demand for athletic trainers in the coming years. The total number of employed athletic trainers currently stands at 512, highlighting the presence of this career within the state. Cities like Dubuque, Sioux City, Ames, and Cedar Falls also reflect competitive salaries, ranging from $58,583 to $59,838, suggesting healthy job market prospects across various regions of Iowa.
Iowa Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $41,071 (lowest entry-level) to $96,092 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa athletic trainers earn 14.65% less than the national median ($-9,585/year difference).
Iowa Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Iowa range from $48,371 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $76,028 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $55,830. The Iowa median is $9,585 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $26.84/hr. Approximately 512 athletic trainers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,619
2025 BLS Actual
$53,360
2026 Current Est.
$55,830
2019–2027 Growth
+28.0%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,619 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,346 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,008 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,379 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,830 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,415 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 17.0% from $45,619 (2019) to $53,360 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,415 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,796 (28.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| West Des Moines | $51,753 |
| Des Moines | $52,430 |
| Fort Dodge | $54,281 |
| Davenport | $54,533 |
| Johnston | $54,887 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | $65,561 | 91.509 | $71,644 |
| Dubuque | $59,838 | 90.4 | $66,192 |
| Sioux City | $59,562 | 90.4 | $65,887 |
| Ames | $58,846 | 90.4 | $65,095 |
| Cedar Falls | $58,583 | 90.4 | $64,804 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,371 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $55,830 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $76,028 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $65,561 |
| 2 | Dubuque | $59,838 |
| 3 | Sioux City | $59,562 |
| 4 | Ames | $58,846 |
| 5 | Cedar Falls | $58,583 |
| 6 | Marion | $58,148 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $57,553 |
| 8 | Ankeny | $57,469 |
| 9 | Council Bluffs | $57,108 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $56,981 |
| 11 | Burlington | $56,781 |
| 12 | Waukee | $56,577 |
| 13 | Urbandale | $56,500 |
| 14 | Bettendorf | $56,496 |
| 15 | Marshalltown | $56,321 |
| 16 | Coralville | $56,247 |
| 17 | Mason City | $55,986 |
| 18 | North Liberty | $55,767 |
| 19 | Clinton | $55,492 |
| 20 | Muscatine | $55,229 |
| 21 | Ottumwa | $55,020 |
| 22 | Johnston | $54,887 |
| 23 | Davenport | $54,533 |
| 24 | Fort Dodge | $54,281 |
| 25 | Des Moines | $52,430 |
| 26 | West Des Moines | $51,753 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Iowa?
How does Iowa athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Iowa?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 athletic trainer compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more athletic trainerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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