Athletic Trainer Salary in West Des Moines, IA: $51,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in West Des Moines, IA earns a median $51,753/year (≈ $24.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in West Des Moines's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $57,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in West Des Moines is projected to be $51,753 annually, reflecting a local compensation level considerably below the national median of $65,415. The salary range for athletic trainers in the area varies significantly, from $41,071 at the lower end (P10) to $73,387 at the upper end (P90). These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data scaled for regional cost adjustments, indicating a relatively affordable cost of living index of 90.4 in West Des Moines. The pricing disparity highlights the trade-off that athletic trainers face between securing school-year contracts versus year-round positions in industrial settings, with the latter often offering more lucrative pay.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,071 | $19.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,008 | $21.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,753 | $24.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,113 | $29.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,387 | $35.28 |
Median Salary Position
20.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Des Moines
In West Des Moines, IA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,316 (2026 est.). At $51,753, the local median is 20.89% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Des Moines Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
West Des Moines median: $51,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,146 | -12.50% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -20.89% less |
Athletic Trainers in West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $51,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.89% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 12.50% below the Iowa state average of $59,146.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Des Moines 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.
West Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $51,753 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,249 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$38,324
2025 BLS Actual
$49,463
2026 Current Est.
$51,753
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,324 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,447 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,308 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,596 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,832 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,937 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,463 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,149 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Des Moines metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $38,324 (2019) to $49,463 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,149 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,825 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Des Moines 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) | $41,071 – $45,008 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,008 – $51,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,753 – $62,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,113 – $73,387 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in West Des Moines
In terms of the local job market, 16 athletic trainers are currently employed in the West Des Moines area, where the cost of living can significantly impact take-home purchasing power. Employers such as secondary schools, colleges, and outpatient clinics generally make up the majority of the job market, but industrial settings, like those with Toyota and FedEx, often pay notably higher wages due to the year-round demand for athletic trainers. This pay disparity arises from various factors, including job setting—where professional sports roles command the highest salaries, followed by industrial and collegiate positions. To maximize earnings, athletic trainers in West Des Moines should consider obtaining additional certifications, taking on head trainer roles, and being willing to work stipends for evening or weekend events. Understanding the local dynamics can help current and aspiring athletic trainers strategize effectively for better compensation.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in West Des Moines, IA in 2026?
Is West Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in West Des Moines?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in West Des Moines?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in West Des Moines?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $49,463 for athletic trainersin the West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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