Athletic Trainer Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $57,108 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $57,108/year (≈ $27.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $63,173 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Council Bluffs, Iowa, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,108, a figure that reflects a notable shift since the introduction of the master's degree as the required entry-level qualification in 2022. The salary range for this profession spans from $44,027 at the 10th percentile to $79,802 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market for athletic training positions in the area. These estimates are extrapolated from 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional price adjustments and cost of living. For those entering the field, understanding these income levels is vital given the competitive nature of athletic trainer pay in Council Bluffs compared to national figures.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,027 | $21.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,119 | $24.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,108 | $27.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,907 | $33.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,802 | $38.37 |
Median Salary Position
12.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,775 (2026 est.). At $57,108, the local median is 12.7% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $57,108/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,118 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -12.70% less |
Athletic Trainers in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $57,108 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.70% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $59,118.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,108 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,173 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,289
2025 BLS Actual
$54,581
2026 Current Est.
$57,108
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,289 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,529 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,271 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,003 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,574 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,397 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,581 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,108 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,752 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,289 (2019) to $54,581 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,752 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,463 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $44,027 – $50,119 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,119 – $57,108 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,108 – $68,907 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,907 – $79,802 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Council Bluffs
With only 12 athletic trainers employed in the area, the job market remains relatively small, yet the cost of living index stands at 90.4, which suggests that take-home pay may stretch further in Council Bluffs compared to other regions. Among local employers, professional sports teams tend to offer the highest compensation, followed by universities and colleges, while secondary schools typically provide lower salaries. Variations in pay can be attributed to different work environments, contract structures, and certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT. To maximize earnings in this context, athletic trainers should consider seeking positions in settings that frequently involve evening or weekend coverage, negotiating for stipends, or progressing to head athletic trainer roles that command higher pay. Understanding the interplay between work settings and compensation can significantly influence how much athletic trainers make in Council Bluffs IA.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 $54,581 for athletic trainersin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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