Athletic Trainer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Athletic Trainers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $50,110 a year, based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,560 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $62,520. Pay here is 10% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $55,430. There are 0.44 athletic trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for athletic trainers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,170 |
| 25th percentile | $49,160 |
| Median | $50,110 |
| 75th percentile | $63,270 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,560 |
| Average (mean) | $55,440 |
Half of athletic trainers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,175.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,087.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,927.31 |
| Weekly | $963.65 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because athletic trainers are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Athletic Trainer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $62,660 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $59,180 | 110 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $54,460 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $52,120 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for athletic trainers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $78,490 |
| Hawaii | $76,320 |
| New Jersey | $76,210 |
| District of Columbia | $74,450 |
| New Mexico | $72,440 |
| Massachusetts | $70,010 |
| Connecticut | $69,960 |
| New York | $66,230 |
| Utah | $65,980 |
| Minnesota | $65,390 |
See Athletic Trainer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $43,090 | $20.72 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $86,790 | $41.73 |
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,670 | $30.61 |
| Pharmacist | $141,110 | $67.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,790 | $47.02 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | $148.98 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a athletic trainer make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for athletic trainers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $50,110 a year. Pay ranges from $48,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid athletic trainers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of athletic trainers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $71,560 a year. The top 25% earn $63,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for athletic trainers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,170 a year, and a quarter of athletic trainers earn $49,160 or less.
How many athletic trainers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 180 athletic trainers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.