Athletic Trainer Salary in Tulsa, OK: $62,035 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Tulsa, OK earns a median $62,035/year (≈ $29.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Tulsa's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $69,535 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% above the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Tulsa is projected to be $62,035, reflecting a competitive stance against the national median of $65,415. The salary range for athletic trainers in this city spans from $46,184 at the lower end to $78,765 at the upper percentile, according to estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This position typically sees a significant salary differential depending on the work setting, as athletic trainers employed in high school or college settings often earn less than those in professional sports or industrial health environments. Therefore, prospective athletic trainers in Tulsa should carefully consider these factors when navigating job opportunities in this dynamic market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,184 | $22.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,728 | $25.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,035 | $29.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,109 | $35.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,765 | $37.87 |
Median Salary Position
5.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulsa
In Tulsa, OK, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,581 (2026 est.). At $62,035, the local median is 5.17% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tulsa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tulsa Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Tulsa median: $62,035/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulsa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $58,140 | +6.70% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -5.17% less |
Athletic Trainers in Tulsa, OK earn a median of $62,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.17% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 6.70% above the Oklahoma state average of $58,140.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulsa has a cost of living 10.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tulsa, OK has a cost-of-living index of 89.214 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,035 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,535 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,670
2025 BLS Actual
$59,290
2026 Current Est.
$62,035
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,035 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,907 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulsa metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 17.0% from $50,670 (2019) to $59,290 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,907 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,237 (28.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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) | $46,184 – $53,728 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,728 – $62,035 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,035 – $74,109 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,109 – $78,765 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Tulsa
In Tulsa, around 70 athletic trainers contribute to the local healthcare and sports ecosystem, with considerable differences in pay related to the work environment. The cost-of-living index stands at 89.214, indicating that earnings can stretch further in this area compared to more expensive metropolitan markets. Among the highest-paying employers are professional sports teams such as those in the NFL and NBA, followed closely by industrial health settings like Toyota and Boeing, which commonly offer year-round contracts with a higher pay scale. The disparity between salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the experience level, specific certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT, and the nature of the employment contract — with year-round positions typically commanding higher wages than school-year contracts. For athletic trainers looking to maximize their earning potential, seeking positions in industrial or collegiate settings, or acquiring specialized credentials, can significantly enhance financial benefits.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Tulsa, OK in 2026?
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Can athletic trainers make $100K in Tulsa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Tulsa?
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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 $59,290 for athletic trainersin the Tulsa 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, 7-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