Athletic Trainer Salary in Springfield, MO: $56,427 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Springfield, MO earns a median $56,427/year (≈ $27.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.6), that paycheck buys what $63,698 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.0% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Springfield, Missouri, the athletic trainer salary stands at a median of $56,427 in 2026, reflecting a distinct difference compared to the national median of $65,415. The salary range for athletic trainers in this region spans from $48,988 at the lower end (P10) to $71,808 at the upper end (P90). This specific data is derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, which give a clear picture of the local job market where athletic trainers engage primarily in school-year contracts. Over the years, a trend has emerged, revealing that athletic trainers in Springfield face a unique trade-off between seasonal work in educational institutions and year-round commitments in industries such as healthcare and occupational settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,988 | $23.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,183 | $25.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,427 | $27.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,250 | $32.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,808 | $34.53 |
Median Salary Position
13.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, MO, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,820 (2026 est.). At $56,427, the local median is 13.74% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Springfield Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Springfield median: $56,427/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $62,697 | -10.00% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -13.74% less |
Athletic Trainers in Springfield, MO earn a median of $56,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.74% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 10.00% below the Missouri state average of $62,697.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 11.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, MO has a cost-of-living index of 88.585 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $56,427 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,698 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,510
2025 BLS Actual
$53,930
2026 Current Est.
$56,427
2019–2027 Growth
+29.7%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,009 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,971 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,427 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,040 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 18.5% from $45,510 (2019) to $53,930 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,040 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,530 (29.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $48,988 – $53,183 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,183 – $56,427 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,427 – $68,250 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,250 – $71,808 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Springfield
The job market for athletic trainers in Springfield is relatively stable, with around 50 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index sits at 88.585, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains reasonable for many. Among various employers, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities typically offer competitive pay, often more substantial compared to high school athletic training gigs. The disparity in compensation can largely be attributed to the type of employment setting; professional sports and industrial health environments tend to provide higher salaries than educational roles, which are often constrained to school-year contracts. To maximize earning potential in Springfield, aspiring and current athletic trainers should consider certification add-ons, pursue positions in higher-paying settings, and remain flexible in terms of scheduling to accommodate evening and weekend events that may come with stipends.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 $53,930 for athletic trainersin the Springfield 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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