Athletic Trainer Salary in Louisiana: $64,901 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $64,901/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,873 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Shreveport ($68,410), Bossier City ($67,324), Houma ($64,940).
In Louisiana, the average median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is projected to be $64,901, slightly below the national median of $65,415, resulting in a variance of -0.8%. The differences in salaries across cities in the state are significant, with Shreveport offering the highest average at $71,577, while Sulphur has the lowest at $60,494. This gap of $11,083 can be attributed to varying costs of living, local demand for athletic trainers, and the presence of universities and sports organizations in these areas. Louisiana has specific licensing requirements that athletic trainers must meet to practice legally in the state, which can influence salary levels. Additionally, the scope of practice laws can affect job responsibilities and market demand. The projected growth rate for athletic trainers in Louisiana is 4.63% annually, reflecting an increasing recognition of their importance in sports medicine and rehabilitation. With 634 athletic trainers expected to be employed statewide, cities like Bossier City ($70,441), Houma ($67,947), Baton Rouge ($66,702), and Thibodaux ($66,520) indicate that regional opportunities vary, but overall the job market remains stable. This outlook suggests that individuals pursuing a career as an athletic trainer in Louisiana can expect steady demand for their skills and services.
Louisiana Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $45,913 (lowest entry-level) to $102,040 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana athletic trainers earn 0.79% less than the national median ($-514/year difference).
Louisiana Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Louisiana range from $52,525 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $86,776 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,901. The Louisiana median is $514 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $31.20/hr. Approximately 634 athletic trainers are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,170
2025 BLS Actual
$62,029
2026 Current Est.
$64,901
2019–2027 Growth
+53.7%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,489 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,595 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,917 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,435 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,997 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,029 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,901 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,906 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 40.4% from $44,170 (2019) to $62,029 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,906 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,736 (53.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sulphur | $60,494 |
| Zachary | $60,843 |
| Natchitoches | $61,133 |
| Hammond | $61,472 |
| New Iberia | $61,972 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport | $71,577 | 84.766 | $84,441 |
| Houma | $67,947 | 85.103 | $79,841 |
| Bossier City | $70,441 | 90.3 | $78,008 |
| Thibodaux | $66,520 | 90.3 | $73,666 |
| Baton Rouge | $66,702 | 90.78 | $73,477 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,525 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,901 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $86,776 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shreveport | $71,577 |
| 2 | Bossier City | $70,441 |
| 3 | Houma | $67,947 |
| 4 | Baton Rouge | $66,702 |
| 5 | Thibodaux | $66,520 |
| 6 | Lake Charles | $64,571 |
| 7 | Slidell | $64,138 |
| 8 | Kenner | $64,094 |
| 9 | Metairie | $63,364 |
| 10 | New Orleans | $63,134 |
| 11 | Monroe | $63,085 |
| 12 | Ruston | $62,909 |
| 13 | Central | $62,846 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $62,531 |
| 15 | Lafayette | $62,328 |
| 16 | New Iberia | $61,972 |
| 17 | Hammond | $61,472 |
| 18 | Natchitoches | $61,133 |
| 19 | Zachary | $60,843 |
| 20 | Sulphur | $60,494 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Louisiana
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Louisiana?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana 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 Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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