Athletic Trainer Salary in Ponca City, OK: $54,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Ponca City, OK earns a median $54,028/year (≈ $25.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Ponca City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $60,774 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Ponca City, OK, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $54,028. This compensation is notably lower than the national median of $65,415, reflecting a 17.41% disparity. Local salaries in Ponca City range from $45,732 at the 10th percentile to $72,276 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while some professionals earn near the lower end of the scale, others can command salaries that reflect their experience and specific roles. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, closely aligned with the regional cost of living, which is below the national average. Such figures suggest that opportunities may vary widely, influenced by whether trainers work in high school settings or in more lucrative industrial roles, which often require a master's degree per the new educational standards established in 2022.
About the Ponca City Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,732 | $21.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,767 | $23.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,028 | $25.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,868 | $30.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,276 | $34.75 |
Median Salary Position
17.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponca City
In Ponca City, OK, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,544 (2026 est.). At $54,028, the local median is 17.41% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ponca City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ponca City Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Ponca City median: $54,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponca City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $58,157 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -17.41% less |
Athletic Trainers in Ponca City, OK earn a median of $54,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.41% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.10% below the Oklahoma state average of $58,157.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ponca City has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ponca City, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $54,028 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,774 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,008
2025 BLS Actual
$51,637
2026 Current Est.
$54,028
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Ponca City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,008 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,181 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,991 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,468 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,846 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,949 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,529 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponca City metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $40,008 (2019) to $51,637 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,529 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,521 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponca City 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) | $45,732 – $49,767 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,767 – $54,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,028 – $62,868 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,868 – $72,276 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Ponca City
The local job market for athletic trainers in Ponca City is relatively small, with just four professionals currently employed in the area. Consequently, this limited workforce contrasts with the region's cost-of-living index of 88.9, which suggests that while salaries may appear modest, their purchasing power is better than the figures imply. Traditionally, high school athletic trainers earn less compared to those in industrial health settings, such as operations at Toyota or FedEx, where salaries can be significantly higher due to year-round contracts. Factors influencing pay differentials include experience level, position type—such as head athletic trainer versus assistant—and additional responsibilities that may come with events taking place after regular hours. Aspiring athletic trainers in Ponca City could enhance their earnings by pursuing certifications like CSCS, seeking year-round employment in industrial environments, and gaining experience that aligns with higher-paying professional sports teams. This approach can lead to more lucrative opportunities in a market that is evolving but still offers specific avenues for growth and development.
More salary data for Ponca City, OK:
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 $51,637 for athletic trainersin the Ponca City 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 Ponca City 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