Athletic Trainer Salary in Las Cruces, NM: $63,798 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Las Cruces, NM earns a median $63,798/year (≈ $30.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Las Cruces's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $67,583 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Las Cruces, NM, is projected to reach a median of $63,798, slightly lower than the national median of $65,415. The salary range for athletic trainers in the area spans from $48,221 at the 10th percentile to $90,600 at the 90th percentile. This variation in compensation largely stems from the choice between traditional sports roles, such as those in high schools and colleges, and industrial athletic training positions in settings like factories and corporate wellness programs. As Las Cruces has a labor market where athletic trainers are increasingly sought after, this region showcases distinct opportunities reflective of both historical sports engagement and emerging industrial health trends.
About the Las Cruces Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,221 | $23.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,862 | $25.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,798 | $30.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,137 | $36.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,600 | $43.56 |
Median Salary Position
2.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Las Cruces
In Las Cruces, NM, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,379 (2026 est.). At $63,798, the local median is 2.47% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Las Cruces: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Las Cruces Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Las Cruces median: $63,798/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Las Cruces Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $61,760 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -2.47% less |
Athletic Trainers in Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $63,798 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.47% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.30% above the New Mexico state average of $61,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Las Cruces has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Las Cruces, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,798 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,583 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,243
2025 BLS Actual
$60,975
2026 Current Est.
$63,798
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,243 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,223 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,498 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,567 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,975 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,798 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,752 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Las Cruces metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $47,243 (2019) to $60,975 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,752 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,509 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Las Cruces 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) | $48,221 – $53,862 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,862 – $63,798 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,798 – $76,137 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,137 – $90,600 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Las Cruces
The local job market for athletic trainers is relatively robust, with approximately 28 professionals currently employed in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 94.4, Las Cruces offers a more affordable lifestyle than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of athletic trainer pay in Las Cruces, NM. Among the various employers, industrial settings typically offer the highest salaries due to the specialized nature of athletic training in workplace health. The pay gap within the profession can be influenced by several factors, including the nature of the setting—professional sports positions tend to offer higher compensation than educational institutions. Strategies for maximizing earnings include seeking certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT, pursuing roles that offer stipends for extra responsibilities, and considering industrial athletic training positions, which often pay significantly more than those in traditional sports roles.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
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 $60,975 for athletic trainersin the Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces 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