Athletic Trainer Salary in Odessa, TX: $68,811 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Odessa, TX earns a median $68,811/year (≈ $33.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Odessa's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $71,678 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $68,811 for 2026, the pay for athletic trainers in Odessa, Texas, shows a competitive edge compared to the national median of $65,415. The local salary range spans from $52,701 at the 10th percentile to $98,618 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market with various opportunities for growth. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost disparities, reflect the balance between traditional school-year contracts and more lucrative year-round industrial roles. As the job market evolves, Odessa's athletic trainers can find lucrative niches particularly in industrial settings or higher education institutions, making strategic career moves essential.
About the Odessa Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,701 | $25.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,109 | $28.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,811 | $33.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,654 | $39.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,618 | $47.41 |
Median Salary Position
5.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Odessa
In Odessa, TX, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,917 (2026 est.). At $68,811, the local median is 5.19% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Odessa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Odessa Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Odessa median: $68,811/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Odessa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $69,576 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +5.19% more |
Athletic Trainers in Odessa, TX earn a median of $68,811 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.19% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 1.10% below the Texas state average of $69,576.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Odessa has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Odessa, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $68,811 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,678 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,955
2025 BLS Actual
$65,766
2026 Current Est.
$68,811
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Odessa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,955 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,449 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,934 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,635 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,938 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,872 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,766 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,811 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,997 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Odessa metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $50,955 (2019) to $65,766 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,042 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Odessa 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) | $52,701 – $60,109 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,109 – $68,811 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,811 – $82,654 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,654 – $98,618 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Odessa
Odessa's job market for athletic trainers remains robust, with 17 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living in Odessa is slightly below the national average, with a cost of living index of 96, which means that salaries here can stretch further than in some larger cities. This is crucial for understanding take-home pay and quality of life. In terms of employers, those in secondary education, colleges and universities, and industrial settings tend to offer the highest compensation. Variations in pay stem from several factors, including contract types—where industrial and professional sports settings typically provide higher wages compared to high school positions. Additionally, positions may vary in responsibility, where head athletic trainers earn more than assistants, and stipends for evening events can enhance earnings. To maximize pay in Odessa's market, professionals should consider pursuing certifications, such as the CSCS or OCS-AT, and exploring roles within industries like healthcare or occupational health, which often see higher compensation than traditional school-based training.
More salary data for Odessa, 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 $65,766 for athletic trainersin the Odessa 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 Odessa 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