Athletic Trainer Salary in Puyallup, WA: $67,272 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Puyallup, WA earns a median $67,272/year (≈ $32.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Puyallup's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $62,637 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Puyallup, Washington, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is set at $67,272, offering a competitive edge over the national average of $65,415. Salary ranges from $55,048 at the lower 10th percentile to $92,708 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity in roles within this occupation. These local figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight the potential for higher compensation in industrial settings compared to traditional sports environments. This disparity is important to note for those pursuing a career in athletic training in Puyallup, as it signifies the different opportunities available, especially for practitioners who opt for industrial roles that often yield higher pay.
About the Puyallup Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,048 | $26.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,903 | $29.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,272 | $32.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,873 | $38.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,708 | $44.57 |
Median Salary Position
2.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Puyallup
In Puyallup, WA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,660 (2026 est.). At $67,272, the local median is 2.84% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Puyallup: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Puyallup Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Puyallup median: $67,272/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Puyallup Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $70,221 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +2.84% more |
Athletic Trainers in Puyallup, WA earn a median of $67,272 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 4.20% below the Washington state average of $70,221.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Puyallup has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Puyallup, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,272 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,637 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$49,815
2025 BLS Actual
$64,295
2026 Current Est.
$67,272
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Puyallup (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,815 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,276 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,795 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,369 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,575 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,818 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,295 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,272 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puyallup metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $49,815 (2019) to $64,295 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,572 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puyallup 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) | $55,048 – $60,903 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,903 – $67,272 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,272 – $80,873 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,873 – $92,708 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Puyallup
In Puyallup, there are currently 10 athletic trainers employed, indicating a specialized but potentially competitive job market. The cost of living index, at 107.4, suggests that while salaries may appear attractive, local purchasing power must be considered carefully. Among employers, settings such as industrial health for companies like Toyota and Boeing tend to offer salaries at the higher end of the scale, overshadowing traditional roles in high schools and colleges. Various factors contribute to the salary spread, including the nature of the workplace, the level of responsibility (head athletic trainer versus assistant), and the involvement in events requiring stipends for additional hours. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Puyallup, strategies could involve seeking advanced certifications, building experience in high-demand settings, and considering roles that offer year-round contracts rather than school-year positions.
More salary data for Puyallup, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Puyallup, WA in 2026?
Is Puyallup, WA a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Puyallup?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Puyallup?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in Puyallup?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $64,295 for athletic trainersin the Puyallup 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 Puyallup 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