Athletic Trainer Salary in New Mexico: $66,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Mexico's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $66,517/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because New Mexico sits at BEA RPP 94.4 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,463 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Albuquerque ($72,440), Las Cruces ($60,975), Rio Rancho ($60,747).
Salaries for athletic trainers in New Mexico are projected to average $66,517 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $65,415 by 1.7%. The highest salaries are found in Albuquerque, where trainers can expect to earn $75,794, while Taos is at the lower end with salaries of $56,809, highlighting a significant $18,985 gap primarily driven by cost of living, demand for sports programs, and institutional funding in urban versus rural settings. In New Mexico, athletic trainers must comply with state licensing requirements and adhere to specific scope of practice laws that can influence job responsibilities and potential earnings. Current demand is bolstered by a growing emphasis on health, safety, and performance in athletics, contributing to an expected job growth rate of 4.63% annually. The labor market includes a total of 238 employed athletic trainers across 17 metro areas, with key cities showing varied salary ranges: Las Cruces at $63,798, Rio Rancho at $63,560, Santa Fe at $62,349, and Farmington at $60,860. This landscape suggests a steady job outlook, particularly in urban areas where sports programs are more prevalent.
New Mexico Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Mexico: $45,107 (lowest entry-level) to $92,129 (highest top earner)
New Mexico vs National Average
New Mexico athletic trainers earn 1.68% more than the national median (+$1,102/year difference).
New Mexico Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in New Mexico range from $49,975 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $86,066 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,517. The New Mexico median is $1,102 above the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $31.98/hr. Approximately 238 athletic trainers are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,257
2025 BLS Actual
$63,574
2026 Current Est.
$66,517
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in New Mexico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,257 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,236 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,748 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,907 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,648 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,597 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Mexico metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $49,257 (2019) to $63,574 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,597 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,340 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Mexico 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 New Mexico
Lowest Paying Cities in New Mexico
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Taos | $56,809 |
| Los Alamos | $56,916 |
| Los Lunas | $57,394 |
| Las Vegas | $57,403 |
| Gallup | $57,413 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in New Mexico
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Mexico cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $75,794 | 95.546 | $79,327 |
| Las Cruces | $63,798 | 94.4 | $67,583 |
| Rio Rancho | $63,560 | 94.4 | $67,331 |
| Santa Fe | $62,349 | 94.4 | $66,048 |
| Farmington | $60,860 | 94.4 | $64,470 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Mexico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,975 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,517 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $86,066 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Mexico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in New Mexico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque | $75,794 |
| 2 | Las Cruces | $63,798 |
| 3 | Rio Rancho | $63,560 |
| 4 | Santa Fe | $62,349 |
| 5 | Farmington | $60,860 |
| 6 | Roswell | $60,577 |
| 7 | Alamogordo | $60,079 |
| 8 | Hobbs | $60,045 |
| 9 | South Valley | $59,801 |
| 10 | Clovis | $58,641 |
| 11 | Carlsbad | $58,550 |
| 12 | Deming | $57,617 |
| 13 | Gallup | $57,413 |
| 14 | Las Vegas | $57,403 |
| 15 | Los Lunas | $57,394 |
| 16 | Los Alamos | $56,916 |
| 17 | Taos | $56,809 |
More New Mexico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in New Mexico cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in New Mexico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in New Mexico?
How does New Mexico athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in New Mexico?
How many athletic trainers are employed in New Mexico?
Which New Mexico 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 New Mexico. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 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, 3-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