Athletic Trainer Salary in Cottage Grove, MN: $63,593 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Cottage Grove, MN earns a median $63,593/year (≈ $30.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Cottage Grove's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $64,561 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottage Grove, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $63,593, reflecting a competitive compensation level when compared to the national median of $65,415. The salary range for local athletic trainers spans from $49,973 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $85,211 at the higher end (90th percentile). These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity, aligning with the area's unique employment landscape. Athletic trainers here may find themselves in various settings, leading to notable discrepancies in earnings, particularly between traditional sports roles and industrial health environments.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,973 | $24.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,047 | $26.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,593 | $30.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,600 | $35.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,211 | $40.96 |
Median Salary Position
2.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottage Grove
In Cottage Grove, MN, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,238 (2026 est.). At $63,593, the local median is 2.79% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cottage Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cottage Grove Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Cottage Grove median: $63,593/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottage Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $64,431 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -2.79% less |
Athletic Trainers in Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $63,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.79% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $64,431.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottage Grove has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cottage Grove, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,593 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,561 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,091
2025 BLS Actual
$60,779
2026 Current Est.
$63,593
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,091 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,472 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,072 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,341 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,317 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,385 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,779 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,593 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,537 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottage Grove metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $47,091 (2019) to $60,779 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,537 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,446 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottage Grove 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) | $49,973 – $56,047 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,047 – $63,593 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,593 – $73,600 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,600 – $85,211 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Cottage Grove
The job market in Cottage Grove currently supports eight employed athletic trainers, which can foster a specialized community but may also limit competition for higher-paying positions. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, financial factors can influence the purchasing power of athletic trainer salaries in this area. Those looking for higher compensation should consider opportunities in collegiate athletics, industrial settings, or outpatient clinics, each of which can offer more lucrative salaries compared to high school athletic training roles. Factors such as year-round contracts, certification add-ons, and roles' settings can create the pay spread; for example, professional environments often offer higher wages than educational institutions. To maximize earnings, athletic trainers should focus on specializations, seek out positions that provide stipends for additional duties, and stay attuned to openings in high-demand sectors within Cottage Grove.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, MN:
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 $60,779 for athletic trainersin the Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove 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