Athletic Trainer Salary in Waco, TX: $59,357 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Waco, TX earns a median $59,357/year (≈ $28.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $64,135 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.7% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Waco, Texas, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $59,357. This figure, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected into 2026, reflects the evolving educational requirements in the profession, particularly following the transition to a master's degree in 2022, which has reshaped entry-level compensation. Salaries for athletic trainers in the area range from $59,315 (10th percentile) to $100,937 (90th percentile). This salary picture not only highlights the local market realities but also situates Waco slightly below the national median of $65,415, indicating competitive challenges for professionals in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,315 | $28.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,357 | $28.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,357 | $28.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,616 | $39.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,937 | $48.53 |
Median Salary Position
9.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,622 (2026 est.). At $59,357, the local median is 9.26% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Waco Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Waco median: $59,357/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $69,586 | -14.70% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -9.26% less |
Athletic Trainers in Waco, TX earn a median of $59,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.26% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 14.70% below the Texas state average of $69,586.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $59,357 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,135 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,730
2025 BLS Actual
$56,730
2026 Current Est.
$59,357
2019–2027 Growth
+13.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,839 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,357 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,105 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 3.7% from $54,730 (2019) to $56,730 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,105 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,375 (13.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $59,315 – $59,357 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,357 – $59,357 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,357 – $82,616 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,616 – $100,937 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Waco
With 50 athletic trainers currently employed in Waco, the local job market is relatively stable, though the cost of living index at 92.55 suggests that take-home purchasing power may be more favorable than in higher-cost regions. Employers that pay the most in Waco typically include colleges and universities, which cater to NCAA athletes, and certain industrial health roles at companies like Toyota and FedEx, known for offering competitive salaries compared to traditional school-based roles. The variance in compensation can largely be attributed to the setting—professional sports pays significantly more than positions in educational institutions—and the nature of employment contracts, with year-round roles often offering higher salaries. To maximize pay, aspiring trainers might consider gaining additional certifications, such as the CSCS or OCS-AT, and seeking positions that involve greater responsibilities, such as head athletic trainer roles or those that require evening and weekend commitments.
More salary data for Waco, 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 $56,730 for athletic trainersin the Waco 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