Athletic Trainer Salary in South Dakota: $59,845 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $59,845/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,488 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($58,691), Sioux Falls ($58,620), Watertown ($55,788).
In South Dakota, the projected average median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $59,845, which is 8.5% lower than the national median of $65,415. The highest paying city in the state is Rapid City, with a salary of $61,408, while Huron offers the lowest at $55,983, highlighting a salary gap of $5,425. This disparity is influenced by factors such as local demand for services, population size, and the types of sports programs available in each region. Athletic trainers in South Dakota must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to specific scope of practice laws, which can impact job responsibilities and salary. The projected annual average growth rate for the profession is 4.63%, indicating a steady demand for athletic trainers as awareness of injury prevention and rehabilitation increases across various sectors, including schools and sports organizations. The top five cities for athletic trainer salaries in 2026 are Rapid City ($61,408), Sioux Falls ($61,334), Watertown ($58,371), Yankton ($58,352), and Spearfish ($58,207). Overall, the job market for athletic trainers in South Dakota is expected to grow, driven by an increasing focus on health and fitness within the state's communities.
South Dakota Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $44,501 (lowest entry-level) to $87,599 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota athletic trainers earn 8.51% less than the national median ($-5,570/year difference).
South Dakota Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in South Dakota range from $48,729 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $73,666 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,845. The South Dakota median is $5,570 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $28.77/hr. Approximately 121 athletic trainers are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,310
2025 BLS Actual
$57,197
2026 Current Est.
$59,845
2019–2027 Growth
+35.2%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,197 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,845 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,616 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 23.5% from $46,310 (2019) to $57,197 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,616 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,306 (35.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota 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 South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $55,983 |
| Vermillion | $56,070 |
| Brookings | $56,084 |
| Pierre | $57,034 |
| Aberdeen | $57,690 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $61,334 | 90.631 | $67,674 |
| Rapid City | $61,408 | 92.8 | $66,172 |
| Watertown | $58,371 | 92.8 | $62,900 |
| Yankton | $58,352 | 92.8 | $62,879 |
| Spearfish | $58,207 | 92.8 | $62,723 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,729 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,845 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $73,666 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $61,408 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $61,334 |
| 3 | Watertown | $58,371 |
| 4 | Yankton | $58,352 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $58,207 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $57,786 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $57,690 |
| 8 | Pierre | $57,034 |
| 9 | Brookings | $56,084 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $56,070 |
| 11 | Huron | $55,983 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in South Dakota 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 South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in South Dakota?
How many athletic trainers are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota 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 South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 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, 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