Athletic Trainer Salary in Kansas: $60,247 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $60,247/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,278 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($63,833), Lawrence ($60,820), Wichita ($58,010).
In Kansas, the average median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is projected at $60,247, which reflects a gap of 7.9% compared to the national median salary of $65,415. There is a significant disparity between the highest and lowest paying cities in the state: Kansas City offers the highest salary at $66,788, while Emporia provides $54,895, indicating a difference of $11,893. Factors contributing to this variation include the cost of living, availability of healthcare facilities, and demand for athletic trainers in urban versus rural settings. Kansas has specific licensing requirements that athletic trainers must meet to practice, including education and certification. The state’s scope of practice laws support a growing demand for trainers, particularly with a projected annual growth rate of 4.63%. These professionals are increasingly sought after in schools, colleges, and sports organizations, contributing to the job market strength. As for salaries in other major cities, Lawrence is projected at $63,636, Wichita at $60,696, Overland Park at $60,434, and Topeka at $60,036. These figures provide insights into the salary landscape for athletic trainers across the state and highlight potential opportunities in various metropolitan areas.
Kansas Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $43,185 (lowest entry-level) to $95,076 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas athletic trainers earn 7.9% less than the national median ($-5,168/year difference).
Kansas Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Kansas range from $46,422 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,899 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,247. The Kansas median is $5,168 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $28.97/hr. Approximately 326 athletic trainers are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,930
2025 BLS Actual
$57,581
2026 Current Est.
$60,247
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,797 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,189 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,581 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,247 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,036 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 20.1% from $47,930 (2019) to $57,581 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,036 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,106 (31.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Emporia | $54,895 |
| Gardner | $55,141 |
| Liberal | $55,458 |
| Hays | $55,674 |
| Prairie Village | $55,839 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $66,788 | 90.9 | $73,474 |
| Lawrence | $63,636 | 90.243 | $70,516 |
| Wichita | $60,696 | 88.946 | $68,239 |
| Overland Park | $60,434 | 90.9 | $66,484 |
| Topeka | $60,036 | 90.9 | $66,046 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,422 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,247 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,899 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $66,788 |
| 2 | Lawrence | $63,636 |
| 3 | Wichita | $60,696 |
| 4 | Overland Park | $60,434 |
| 5 | Topeka | $60,036 |
| 6 | Manhattan | $59,793 |
| 7 | Olathe | $59,665 |
| 8 | Lenexa | $59,520 |
| 9 | Garden City | $58,931 |
| 10 | Derby | $58,636 |
| 11 | Hutchinson | $58,170 |
| 12 | Leavenworth | $58,151 |
| 13 | Shawnee | $57,966 |
| 14 | Salina | $57,538 |
| 15 | Leawood | $57,219 |
| 16 | Dodge City | $56,255 |
| 17 | Junction City | $56,075 |
| 18 | Prairie Village | $55,839 |
| 19 | Hays | $55,674 |
| 20 | Liberal | $55,458 |
| 21 | Gardner | $55,141 |
| 22 | Emporia | $54,895 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Kansas?
How does Kansas athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Kansas?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 athletic trainer compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more athletic trainerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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