Athletic Trainer Salary in Burlington, IA: $56,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Burlington, IA earns a median $56,781/year (≈ $27.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $62,811 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, Iowa, the median annual income for athletic trainers is expected to reach $56,781 in 2026, reflecting a significant pay disparity compared to the $65,415 national median. The salary range for this occupation in the area spans from $46,183 at the 10th percentile to $76,104 at the 90th percentile, indicating that factors such as experience, setting, and responsibilities play a critical role in compensation. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living considerations. The local job market's dynamics, which includes a limited number of positions—only four athletic trainers are currently employed in Burlington—suggests a compact but potentially competitive environment for job seekers in this field.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,183 | $22.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,117 | $24.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,781 | $27.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,161 | $31.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,104 | $36.59 |
Median Salary Position
13.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,921 (2026 est.). At $56,781, the local median is 13.2% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Burlington median: $56,781/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,146 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -13.20% less |
Athletic Trainers in Burlington, IA earn a median of $56,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.20% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $59,146.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $56,781 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,811 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,046
2025 BLS Actual
$54,268
2026 Current Est.
$56,781
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,046 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,279 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,029 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,734 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,284 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,137 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,268 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,410 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,046 (2019) to $54,268 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,410 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,364 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $46,183 – $51,117 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,117 – $56,781 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,781 – $66,161 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,161 – $76,104 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Burlington
The cost of living in Burlington is indexed at 90.4, meaning that the purchasing power derived from salaries may not stretch as far as in many other regions, making the take-home pay feel less substantial. Among local employers, industrial and occupational health settings, such as those provided by companies like Toyota and FedEx, tend to offer the highest compensation, often surpassing opportunities in secondary schools or colleges. The salary variations can be attributed to several factors: professional sports positions typically provide greater financial rewards than those in educational institutions, while additional stipends for weekend events also contribute to income levels. To maximize earnings, athletic trainers in Burlington should consider pursuing additional certifications, exploring roles in high-demand industrial settings, or enhancing their expertise to take on lead positions. This approach not only broadens opportunities but also positions them favorably in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
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 $54,268 for athletic trainersin the Burlington 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 Burlington 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