Athletic Trainer Salary in Rapid City, SD: $61,408 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Rapid City, SD earns a median $61,408/year (≈ $29.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $66,172 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Rapid City, South Dakota, earn a median annual salary of $61,408, reflecting a competitive position within the industry when compared to the national median of $65,415. The salary ranges from a lower 10th percentile at $47,233 to an upper 90th percentile at $87,599. These local projections, based on 2025 BLS data, take into account regional cost adjustments, highlighting the specific nuances of Rapid City's job market. While the market here leans towards industrial roles—often providing higher compensation than traditional settings such as secondary schools and colleges—athletic trainers should be aware of how their chosen specialty can significantly affect their take-home pay.
About the Rapid City Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,233 | $22.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,622 | $25.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,408 | $29.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,825 | $35.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,599 | $42.11 |
Median Salary Position
6.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,366 (2026 est.). At $61,408, the local median is 6.13% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rapid City Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $61,408/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $60,680 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -6.13% less |
Athletic Trainers in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $61,408 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.20% above the South Dakota state average of $60,680.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rapid City, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $61,408 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,172 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,473
2025 BLS Actual
$58,691
2026 Current Est.
$61,408
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,473 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,806 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,455 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,543 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,382 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,937 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,691 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,408 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,252 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $45,473 (2019) to $58,691 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,252 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,779 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid 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) | $47,233 – $53,622 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,622 – $61,408 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,408 – $73,825 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,825 – $87,599 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Rapid City
In Rapid City, the job market for athletic trainers consists of a modest pool of just 16 professionals actively employed. The cost-of-living index stands at 92.8, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, thereby enhancing the effective purchasing power of the median salary. Employers that typically offer the highest athletic trainer pay in Rapid City include industrial settings, such as Toyota and FedEx, where trainers often earn more than those working in educational institutions or outpatient clinics. The salary disparity within the profession often arises due to various factors, including the setting of employment and additional responsibilities tied to evening or weekend events. For athletic trainers looking to boost their earnings, pursuing specialized certifications like the CSCS or taking on head athletic trainer roles can create significant financial advantages.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
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 $58,691 for athletic trainersin the Rapid 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 Rapid 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