Athletic Trainer Salary in North Liberty, IA: $55,767 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in North Liberty, IA earns a median $55,767/year (≈ $26.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in North Liberty's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $61,689 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in North Liberty, IA, is projected to reach a median of $55,767, which is significantly lower than the national median of $65,415. With a salary range from $43,869 at the lower end (P10) to $76,162 at the upper end (P90), these figures reflect local economic conditions and cost adjustments based on 2025 BLS data. After the 2022 transition requiring a master's degree for entry-level positions, the compensation landscape has shifted, impacting how much do athletic trainers make in North Liberty compared to previous years. For those entering the profession or transitioning to these demanding roles, understanding the current salary trends and the local job market dynamics is essential for career planning.
About the North Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,869 | $21.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,396 | $25.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,767 | $26.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,856 | $31.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,162 | $36.62 |
Median Salary Position
14.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Liberty
In North Liberty, IA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,293 (2026 est.). At $55,767, the local median is 14.75% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Liberty: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Liberty Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
North Liberty median: $55,767/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Liberty Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,138 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -14.75% less |
Athletic Trainers in North Liberty, IA earn a median of $55,767 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.75% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 5.70% below the Iowa state average of $59,138.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Liberty 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.
North Liberty, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $55,767 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,689 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,296
2025 BLS Actual
$53,299
2026 Current Est.
$55,767
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in North Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,296 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,506 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,279 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,899 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,386 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,331 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,299 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,767 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,349 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Liberty metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,296 (2019) to $53,299 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,349 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,053 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Liberty 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) | $43,869 – $52,396 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,396 – $55,767 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,767 – $65,856 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,856 – $76,162 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in North Liberty
The job market for athletic trainers in North Liberty is relatively small but stable, with six professionals currently employed in the area. While the cost of living index stands at 90.4, which is below the national average, this reality can enhance take-home purchasing power for athletic trainers based in the region. Most opportunities lie within high schools, colleges, and outpatient clinics, where salaries vary significantly. Professional settings such as industrial health could offer better pay due to the heightened demand for athletic trainers in manufacturing and occupational health roles. Advancing one’s career through additional certifications or positions, such as becoming a head athletic trainer or taking on nighttime or weekend responsibilities, can lead to increased compensation in a competitive market like North Liberty, IA.
More salary data for North Liberty, 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 $53,299 for athletic trainersin the North Liberty 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 North Liberty 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