Athletic Trainer Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $61,334 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Sioux Falls, SD earns a median $61,334/year (≈ $29.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Sioux Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $67,674 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, athletic trainers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $61,334 in 2026, a figure that reflects the growing demand in industrial settings compared to traditional school-based roles. The salary range for this profession extends from $50,704 at the 10th percentile to $68,010 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad spectrum of potential earnings influenced by the work environment and experience level. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, which show a competitive but slightly lower compensation compared to the national median of $65,415 for athletic trainers. Sioux Falls's unique job market emphasizes the importance of specialization, especially in industrial settings wherein athletic trainers can command higher salaries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,704 | $24.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,334 | $29.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,334 | $29.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,491 | $29.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,010 | $32.70 |
Median Salary Position
6.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, SD, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,306 (2026 est.). At $61,334, the local median is 6.24% below the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Sioux Falls: You'd be above the median
How Sioux Falls Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Sioux Falls median: $61,334/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $60,727 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -6.24% less |
Athletic Trainers in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $61,334 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.24% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.00% above the South Dakota state average of $60,727.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux Falls has a cost of living 9.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost-of-living index of 90.631 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $61,334 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,674 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,310
2025 BLS Actual
$58,620
2026 Current Est.
$61,334
2019–2027 Growth
+38.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Sioux Falls (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 | $57,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,334 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,174 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 26.6% from $46,310 (2019) to $58,620 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,174 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,864 (38.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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) | $50,704 – $61,334 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,334 – $61,334 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,334 – $61,491 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,491 – $68,010 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Sioux Falls
Currently employing around 60 athletic trainers, Sioux Falls showcases a strong local job market, but the overall cost of living index of 90.631 highlights a lower-than-average expense level compared to national averages. This economic factor positively influences the purchasing power of those working within the area. The highest-paying opportunities for athletic trainers here typically appear within professional sports teams or industrial health settings like Boeing and FedEx, compared to secondary schools and colleges where compensation tends to be lower. Variability in pay can stem from job settings, along with factors such as contract types—year-round versus school-year—or added responsibilities, like head versus assistant athletic trainer roles. To maximize earning potential in Sioux Falls, certifications that elevate professional standing, such as the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) or Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS-AT), may be advantageous.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, 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 $58,620 for athletic trainersin the Sioux Falls 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