Athletic Trainer Salary in Cedar Falls, IA: $58,583 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Cedar Falls, IA earns a median $58,583/year (≈ $28.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Cedar Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $64,804 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, IA, the expected median annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $58,583, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $65,415. This local figure, derived from state-level data and regional economic adjustments, is encompassed within a salary range from $44,583 at the lower end (P10) to $78,790 at the upper end (P90). This compensation landscape highlights the trade-offs facing athletic trainers in Cedar Falls, who often work under school-year contracts. Many trainers at the high school level focus on seasonal responsibilities, while those engaging in year-round industrial settings may enjoy higher pay. This employment scenario indicates a diverse job market, allowing professionals to consider their priorities as they embark on their careers.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,583 | $21.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,173 | $26.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,583 | $28.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,112 | $32.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,790 | $37.88 |
Median Salary Position
10.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, IA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,207 (2026 est.). At $58,583, the local median is 10.44% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Falls Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Cedar Falls median: $58,583/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,115 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -10.44% less |
Athletic Trainers in Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $58,583 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.44% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.90% below the Iowa state average of $59,115.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Falls 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.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $58,583 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,804 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,381
2025 BLS Actual
$55,991
2026 Current Est.
$58,583
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,381 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,653 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,363 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,217 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,991 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,583 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,296 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Falls metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $43,381 (2019) to $55,991 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,296 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,915 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Falls 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) | $44,583 – $54,173 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,173 – $58,583 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,583 – $68,112 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,112 – $78,790 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Cedar Falls
Examining the local job market reveals that Cedar Falls currently employs eight athletic trainers, illustrating a relatively small but potentially competitive field. The area’s cost-of-living index of 90.4 suggests that earnings may stretch further here compared to other parts of the nation, impacting overall purchasing power. Among local employers, high schools, colleges, and industrial firms such as Toyota or FedEx are key payers, but the highest salaries often go to those in year-round positions, particularly in industrial or occupational health settings. Variability in pay can be attributed to factors such as the level of certification (e.g., CSCS, OCS-AT), whether a trainer is in a head or assistant role, and additional responsibilities such as covering evening and weekend events. Athletic trainers aiming to maximize their salary in Cedar Falls should actively seek additional certifications, consider roles with year-round contracts, and explore opportunities in industrial settings where compensation tends to be more lucrative.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, 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 $55,991 for athletic trainersin the Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls 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