Athletic Trainer Salary in Killeen, TX: $62,077 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Killeen, TX earns a median $62,077/year (≈ $29.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Killeen's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $68,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.8% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Killeen, TX, can expect to earn a median salary of $62,077 in 2026, which reflects a 5.10% decrease compared to the national median of $65,415. The overall salary range for this profession spans from $55,339 at the 10th percentile to $98,153 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Many athletic trainers in Killeen operate within school environments, typically under year-long contracts, which often limits their earning potential compared to those in industrial settings where year-round employment offers more lucrative options. The local job market employs around 60 athletic trainers, indicating opportunities for qualified practitioners in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,339 | $26.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,116 | $28.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,077 | $29.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,492 | $38.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,153 | $47.19 |
Median Salary Position
5.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Killeen
In Killeen, TX, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,814 (2026 est.). At $62,077, the local median is 5.1% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Killeen: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Killeen Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Killeen median: $62,077/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Killeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $69,593 | -10.80% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -5.10% less |
Athletic Trainers in Killeen, TX earn a median of $62,077 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.10% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 10.80% below the Texas state average of $69,593.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Killeen has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Killeen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.132 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,077 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,118 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,968
2025 BLS Actual
$59,330
2026 Current Est.
$62,077
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Killeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,968 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,791 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,077 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,951 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Killeen metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $45,968 (2019) to $59,330 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,951 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,983 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen 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) | $55,339 – $59,116 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,116 – $62,077 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,077 – $80,492 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,492 – $98,153 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Killeen
Living in Killeen has its financial implications for athletic trainers, especially given the cost of living index of 91.132, which is below the national average. This means that take-home pay is crucial, and often the highest salaries are found in positions with professional sports teams or within industrial health facilities like those operated by Toyota and Boeing. Factors contributing to the wage gap include the type of setting an athletic trainer works in, whether they hold head or assistant roles, and additional responsibilities such as managing evening sports events. Certifications that add value, such as the CSCS or OCS-AT, can further influence salary potential. For those looking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Killeen, seeking opportunities within high-paying sectors, while enhancing qualifications, is a practical approach to increase earning potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Killeen, 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 $59,330 for athletic trainersin the Killeen 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, 6-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