Athletic Trainer Salary in Austin, TX: $67,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Austin, TX earns a median $67,120/year (≈ $32.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $68,444 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Austin, TX, can expect a median annual salary of $67,120 in 2026, reflecting a notable shift since the 2022 transition to master’s degree requirements for entry into the profession. This updated educational standard has played a key role in shaping compensation dynamics in the region. The projected salary range for athletic trainers spans from $66,252 at the 10th percentile to $81,726 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive pay scale that is on par with the national median of $65,415, representing a local increase of 2.61% over the average across the country. This information, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, underscores the evolving landscape of athletic training careers in Austin and highlights the potential for growth as the profession continues to gain recognition and respect.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,252 | $31.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,120 | $32.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,120 | $32.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,120 | $32.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,726 | $39.29 |
Median Salary Position
2.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,474 (2026 est.). At $67,120, the local median is 2.61% above the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Austin Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Austin median: $67,120/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $69,555 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +2.61% more |
Athletic Trainers in Austin, TX earn a median of $67,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.61% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 3.50% below the Texas state average of $69,555.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $67,120 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,444 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,930
2025 BLS Actual
$64,150
2026 Current Est.
$67,120
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,228 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 7.0% from $59,930 (2019) to $64,150 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,228 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,298 (17.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $66,252 – $67,120 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,120 – $67,120 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,120 – $67,120 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,120 – $81,726 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Austin
In the local job market, approximately 650 athletic trainers are currently employed in Austin, which contributes to a vibrant ecosystem for aspiring professionals. While the cost-of-living index stands at 98.066, slightly below the national average, it provides a unique context for assessing take-home pay and purchasing power in the area. The highest salaries are typically found in settings associated with professional sports teams and colleges and universities, which often offer contracts that differ significantly from those in high schools or outpatient clinics. Variations in pay are driven by factors such as job setting, the distinction between head athletic trainers and assistants, and the inclusion of stipends for weekend or evening events. For those looking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Austin, pursuing advanced certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT, seeking roles at colleges with athletic programs, or targeting industrial health positions may provide the most lucrative opportunities in this competitive market.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 $64,150 for athletic trainersin the Austin 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