Athletic Trainer Salary in Kirkwood, MO: $62,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Kirkwood, MO earns a median $62,158/year (≈ $29.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Kirkwood's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $69,373 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in Kirkwood, Missouri, reaches $62,158. This figure is slightly below the national median of $65,415, reflecting local market dynamics and the impacts of the 2022 transition to a master's degree requirement for entry-level positions. The salary range varies significantly, from $49,353 at the 10th percentile to $86,085 at the 90th percentile, offering a wide spectrum based on experience, qualifications, and job setting. These projections are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, illustrating the financial landscape for athletic trainers in Kirkwood and underscoring the importance of understanding local employment conditions and salary expectations.
About the Kirkwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,353 | $23.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,158 | $26.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,158 | $29.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,643 | $35.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,085 | $41.39 |
Median Salary Position
4.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kirkwood
In Kirkwood, MO, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,732 (2026 est.). At $62,158, the local median is 4.98% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kirkwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kirkwood Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Kirkwood median: $62,158/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kirkwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $62,659 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.98% less |
Athletic Trainers in Kirkwood, MO earn a median of $62,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.98% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $62,659.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kirkwood has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kirkwood, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,158 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,373 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,028
2025 BLS Actual
$59,407
2026 Current Est.
$62,158
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Kirkwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,028 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,377 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,009 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,159 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,046 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,208 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,407 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,035 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kirkwood metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,028 (2019) to $59,407 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,035 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,007 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kirkwood 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) | $49,353 – $55,158 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,158 – $62,158 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,158 – $73,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,643 – $86,085 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Kirkwood
The job market in Kirkwood currently supports five athletic trainers, indicating a limited but focused employment pool. With a cost-of-living index of 89.6, professionals in this area may find their take-home pay stretched in terms of purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers that tend to offer competitive compensation include secondary schools, colleges, and universities, while industrial and occupational health roles often provide salaries higher than those found in traditional school settings. The disparity in pay is influenced by factors such as employment settings (professional sports typically garnering the highest salaries), differences in contract types (year-round versus school-year), and added compensation for evening or weekend events. For those looking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Kirkwood, pursuing certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT and seeking roles in industrial settings may prove beneficial, given the higher demand and compensation corresponding to those positions.
More salary data for Kirkwood, MO:
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 $59,407 for athletic trainersin the Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood 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