Athletic Trainer Salary in Grand Island, NE: $58,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Grand Island, NE earns a median $58,424/year (≈ $28.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Grand Island's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $63,851 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Grand Island is projected to be $58,424, which is notably lower than the national median of $65,415. The local salary range extends from $46,261 at the 10th percentile to $82,716 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a substantial pay gap reflective of different athletic training settings across the region. These estimates arise from state-level data and account for local cost-of-living adjustments. Grand Island's job market showcases a strong emphasis on industrial and occupational health settings, which often pay more than traditional school-based training roles, influencing the overall salary dynamics for athletic trainers in the area.
About the Grand Island Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,261 | $22.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,731 | $24.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,424 | $28.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,041 | $33.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,716 | $39.77 |
Median Salary Position
10.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Island
In Grand Island, NE, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,455 (2026 est.). At $58,424, the local median is 10.69% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Island Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Grand Island median: $58,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $59,861 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -10.69% less |
Athletic Trainers in Grand Island, NE earn a median of $58,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.69% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $59,861.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Island has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Island, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $58,424 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,851 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$43,264
2025 BLS Actual
$55,839
2026 Current Est.
$58,424
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,264 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,532 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,246 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,087 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,739 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,443 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,839 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,129 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Island metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $43,264 (2019) to $55,839 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,129 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,865 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Island 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) | $46,261 – $50,731 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,731 – $58,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,424 – $70,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,041 – $82,716 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Grand Island
In Grand Island, 14 athletic trainers are employed, a figure that suggests a modest but stable job market. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, the purchasing power for residents may feel more favorable compared to national averages. Employers such as those in industrial health settings, including Toyota and FedEx, generally offer competitive salaries compared to secondary schools or collegiate athletic departments. Factors influencing the spread in athletic trainer pay include the work environment, roles such as head versus assistant trainers, as well as contracts that vary between school-year and year-round positions. To enhance earning potential, aspiring athletic trainers should consider gaining certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT, and seek opportunities in high-paying sectors such as industrial health, which can offer substantial advantages over traditional educational environments.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Grand Island, NE in 2026?
Is Grand Island, NE a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Grand Island?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Grand Island?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in Grand Island?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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 $55,839 for athletic trainersin the Grand Island 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 Grand Island 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