Athletic Trainer Salary in Missouri: $62,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $62,872/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,170 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($63,430), Columbia ($61,540), Independence ($61,131).
In Missouri, the projected average median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $62,872, which is about 3.9% below the national median of $65,415. The highest salaries are found in Kansas City, where trainers can earn $66,367, while Springfield offers the lowest at $56,427, creating a salary gap of $9,940. This disparity is often driven by factors such as the cost of living, demand for trainers in urban versus rural areas, and the presence of sports organizations and educational institutions. Missouri has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence job prospects. The demand for athletic trainers is expected to grow, with an annual compound growth rate of 4.63%, according to 2025 BLS data. Currently, there are 754 athletic trainers employed across the state, indicating a stable job market. Key cities for employment opportunities include Columbia ($64,389), Independence ($63,961), St. Peters ($63,494), and St. Charles ($63,374). As sports participation continues to rise and awareness of health and fitness increases, the outlook for athletic trainers in Missouri remains positive.
Missouri Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $46,182 (lowest entry-level) to $95,728 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri athletic trainers earn 3.89% less than the national median ($-2,543/year difference).
Missouri Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Missouri range from $50,481 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,726 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,872. The Missouri median is $2,543 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $30.23/hr. Approximately 754 athletic trainers are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,159
2025 BLS Actual
$60,090
2026 Current Est.
$62,872
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,159 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,708 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,149 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,507 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,565 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,672 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,783 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 22.2% from $49,159 (2019) to $60,090 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,783 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,624 (33.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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 Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Springfield | $56,427 |
| St. Joseph | $57,348 |
| Hannibal | $57,831 |
| Raymore | $58,019 |
| Branson | $58,241 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $64,389 | 89.438 | $71,993 |
| Kansas City | $66,367 | 92.543 | $71,715 |
| Independence | $63,961 | 89.6 | $71,385 |
| St. Peters | $63,494 | 89.6 | $70,864 |
| St. Charles | $63,374 | 89.6 | $70,730 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,481 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,872 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,726 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $66,367 |
| 2 | Columbia | $64,389 |
| 3 | Independence | $63,961 |
| 4 | St. Peters | $63,494 |
| 5 | St. Charles | $63,374 |
| 6 | St. Louis | $62,673 |
| 7 | O'Fallon | $62,640 |
| 8 | Florissant | $62,312 |
| 9 | Wildwood | $62,175 |
| 10 | Kirkwood | $62,158 |
| 11 | Lee's Summit | $62,123 |
| 12 | Chesterfield | $62,114 |
| 13 | University City | $61,788 |
| 14 | Liberty | $61,763 |
| 15 | Grandview | $61,656 |
| 16 | Maryland Heights | $61,554 |
| 17 | Blue Springs | $60,858 |
| 18 | Cape Girardeau | $60,800 |
| 19 | Joplin | $60,764 |
| 20 | Raytown | $60,494 |
| 21 | Webster Groves | $60,193 |
| 22 | Sedalia | $60,174 |
| 23 | Ballwin | $60,066 |
| 24 | Nixa | $60,061 |
| 25 | Gladstone | $59,901 |
| 26 | Wentzville | $59,759 |
| 27 | Jefferson City | $59,706 |
| 28 | Belton | $59,255 |
| 29 | Branson | $58,241 |
| 30 | Raymore | $58,019 |
| 31 | Hannibal | $57,831 |
| 32 | St. Joseph | $57,348 |
| 33 | Springfield | $56,427 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Missouri?
How does Missouri athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Missouri?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri 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 Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 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