Athletic Trainer Salary in St. Cloud, MN: $63,960 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in St. Cloud, MN earns a median $63,960/year (≈ $30.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in St. Cloud's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $64,934 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, athletic trainers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $63,960 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $65,415. Salaries for this profession in the region are projected to range from $47,173 at the lower end (P10) to $92,693 for the most experienced (P90). This pay scale reflects local adjustments based on cost-of-living factors and the specific dynamics of the job market in St. Cloud. Athletic trainers in St. Cloud may benefit from contracting opportunities within schools or year-round positions in industrial settings, each offering differing compensation structures. The local market is well-positioned for professionals looking to start or advance their careers in athletic training amidst a growing demand for these skills.
About the St. Cloud Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,173 | $22.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,475 | $36.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,693 | $44.56 |
Median Salary Position
2.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Cloud
In St. Cloud, MN, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,520 (2026 est.). At $63,960, the local median is 2.22% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Cloud: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Cloud Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
St. Cloud median: $63,960/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Cloud Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $64,411 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -2.22% less |
Athletic Trainers in St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $63,960 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.22% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $64,411.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Cloud 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.
St. Cloud, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,960 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,934 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,363
2025 BLS Actual
$61,130
2026 Current Est.
$63,960
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,363 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,751 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,343 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,643 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,642 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,960 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,922 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Cloud metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $47,363 (2019) to $61,130 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,922 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,559 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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) | $47,173 – $58,220 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,220 – $63,960 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,960 – $75,475 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,475 – $92,693 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in St. Cloud
In terms of the job landscape, St. Cloud employs about 12 athletic trainers, providing a niche market within Minnesota. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, professionals can enjoy a slightly lower cost for essential goods and services, boosting their overall take-home purchasing power. Among the various sectors, industrial and occupational health settings often provide the highest compensation, especially with major employers like Toyota and FedEx in the area, whereas secondary schools and colleges typically offer lower salaries. The variability in pay is influenced by the type of position held—head athletic trainers generally earn more than assistants, and those with additional certifications often command higher salaries. To optimize earnings, professionals should consider focusing on obtaining advanced credentials (such as CSCS or OCS-AT), pursuing year-round contracts, or considering roles in sports medicine facilities that often offer supplemental pay for evening and weekend events.
More salary data for St. Cloud, 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 $61,130 for athletic trainersin the St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud 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