Athletic Trainer Salary in Lubbock, TX: $71,211 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Lubbock, TX earns a median $71,211/year (≈ $34.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Lubbock's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $77,982 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Lubbock, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $71,211 in 2026, reflecting a robust local job market compared to the national median of $65,415 for the same year. The salary range for athletic trainers spans from $46,498 at the 10th percentile to $99,911 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This favorable pay scale indicates a competitive environment for athletic trainers, particularly when considering the trade-off between school-year contracts typically found in educational institutions and year-round positions within industrial environments. Lubbock's local demand for skilled professionals in this field highlights a growing recognition of the essential role these trainers play in diverse settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,498 | $22.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,820 | $30.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,211 | $34.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,247 | $41.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,911 | $48.04 |
Median Salary Position
8.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lubbock
In Lubbock, TX, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,413 (2026 est.). At $71,211, the local median is 8.86% above the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Lubbock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lubbock Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Lubbock median: $71,211/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lubbock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $69,542 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +8.86% more |
Athletic Trainers in Lubbock, TX earn a median of $71,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.86% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 2.40% above the Texas state average of $69,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lubbock has a cost of living 8.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lubbock, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.317 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $71,211 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,982 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,590
2025 BLS Actual
$68,060
2026 Current Est.
$71,211
2019–2027 Growth
+160.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,211 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,508 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lubbock metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 138.1% from $28,590 (2019) to $68,060 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,508 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,918 (160.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lubbock 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) | $46,498 – $62,820 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,820 – $71,211 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,211 – $86,247 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,247 – $99,911 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Lubbock
With 40 athletic trainers currently employed in Lubbock, the job market demonstrates consistent growth, anticipated to expand at an annual rate of 4.63%. The region's cost of living index stands at 91.317, suggesting that the purchasing power of salaries in Lubbock is favorable compared to the national average. Among potential employers, secondary schools often offer lower pay compared to positions at colleges and universities, where NCAA training roles may attract better compensation. Those in industrial or occupational health settings, such as Toyota or FedEx, typically command higher salaries due to year-round contracts, while roles in outpatient clinics can also be lucrative. Factors contributing to salary disparities include the differentiation between professional sports environments, school-based roles, and the variations in certification levels, such as CSCS or OCS-AT. For athletic trainers seeking to optimize their earnings in Lubbock, pursuing additional certifications, considering roles in industrial settings, and engaging in part-time opportunities during seasonal events may enhance overall pay.
More salary data for Lubbock, 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 $68,060 for athletic trainersin the Lubbock 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