Athletic trainer salary
BLS occupation: Athletic Trainers · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $62,520 a year, US
Median hourly pay Paid yearly
Middle half earn $55,130–$74,630 25th to 75th percentile
Athletic trainers employed 30,500 +12.7% projected by 2035
How much does an athletic trainer make?
- The median athletic trainer salary in the US is $62,520 a year: half of the 30,500 athletic trainers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $66,620.
- The middle half earn between $55,130 and $74,630. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $48,180 and the top 10% more than $88,760.
- That is 23% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays athletic trainers the most (median $78,490), followed by Hawaii ($76,320) and New Jersey ($76,210). Alabama pays the least ($46,940).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in New Mexico, where the median is worth $78,558 in typical US prices, then Louisiana and California. California's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.7 vs a US average of 100).
- In 59 of the 157 metro areas with data, the median athletic trainer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of athletic trainers to grow 12.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 2,400 openings a year. The typical entry education is a master's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what athletic trainers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Athletic trainer salary range
Half of athletic trainers earn between $55,130 and $74,630 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $48,180
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $55,130
Median Yearly pay: $62,520
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $74,630
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $88,760
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $48,180 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $55,130 |
| Median | $62,520 |
| Top 25% earn over | $74,630 |
| Top 10% earn over | $88,760 |
Athletic trainer salary by state
California pays athletic trainers the most; Alabama the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($62,520), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $78,490 median |
| Hawaii | $76,320 median |
| New Jersey | $76,210 median |
| District of Columbia | $74,450 median |
| New Mexico | $72,440 median |
| Massachusetts | $70,010 median |
| Connecticut | $69,960 median |
| New York | $66,230 median |
| Utah | $65,980 median |
| Minnesota | $65,390 median |
| Illinois | $64,750 median |
| Georgia | $64,590 median |
| Colorado | $64,580 median |
| Texas | $64,150 median |
| Maryland | $63,970 median |
| Rhode Island | $63,750 median |
| Washington | $63,750 median |
| Wyoming | $63,190 median |
| Vermont | $62,910 median |
| Indiana | $62,780 median |
| Louisiana | $62,760 median |
| Maine | $61,970 median |
| Virginia | $61,860 median |
| Wisconsin | $61,820 median |
| Arizona | $61,710 median |
| Ohio | $61,420 median |
| Florida | $61,350 median |
| Oklahoma | $61,320 median |
| Pennsylvania | $61,060 median |
| Nebraska | $61,020 median |
| North Dakota | $60,900 median |
| Kentucky | $60,680 median |
| Idaho | $60,410 median |
| New Hampshire | $60,200 median |
| Montana | $60,090 median |
| Tennessee | $59,850 median |
| Nevada | $59,820 median |
| Delaware | $59,650 median |
| Michigan | $59,280 median |
| South Carolina | $59,240 median |
| Kansas | $59,140 median |
| Missouri | $58,660 median |
| South Dakota | $58,620 median |
| Mississippi | $58,180 median |
| Oregon | $57,790 median |
| Arkansas | $57,240 median |
| North Carolina | $56,540 median |
| Iowa | $55,430 median |
| West Virginia | $50,510 median |
| Alabama | $46,940 median |
Where athletic trainer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Athletic trainers' pay goes furthest in New Mexico once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $78,558 |
| Louisiana | $71,151 |
| California | $70,891 |
| New Jersey | $70,043 |
| Oklahoma | $69,806 |
| Hawaii | $69,413 |
| North Dakota | $68,459 |
| Wyoming | $68,173 |
| District of Columbia | $67,743 |
| Nebraska | $67,722 |
Athletic trainer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $78,490 | $54,770 | $108,050 | 1,760 | $70,891 |
| Hawaii | $76,320 | $56,110 | $92,500 | 200 | $69,413 |
| New Jersey | $76,210 | $52,040 | $112,330 | 890 | $70,043 |
| District of Columbia | $74,450 | $59,290 | $143,050 | 100 | $67,743 |
| New Mexico | $72,440 | $47,030 | $84,130 | 150 | $78,558 |
| Massachusetts | $70,010 | $50,560 | $104,850 | 630 | $66,199 |
| Connecticut | $69,960 | $50,900 | $112,140 | 290 | $67,522 |
| New York | $66,230 | $49,990 | $101,840 | 1,370 | $61,369 |
| Utah | $65,980 | $52,680 | $86,910 | 340 | $66,738 |
| Minnesota | $65,390 | $57,910 | $78,430 | 820 | $66,304 |
| Illinois | $64,750 | $49,240 | $93,020 | 850 | $64,777 |
| Georgia | $64,590 | $48,320 | $107,810 | 860 | $67,077 |
| Colorado | $64,580 | $53,390 | $86,170 | 380 | $62,667 |
| Texas | $64,150 | $54,750 | $99,480 | 3,130 | $66,095 |
| Maryland | $63,970 | $48,290 | $90,350 | 320 | $60,948 |
| Rhode Island | $63,750 | $46,600 | $86,580 | – | $62,329 |
| Washington | $63,750 | $49,290 | $88,610 | 240 | $59,572 |
| Wyoming | $63,190 | $48,360 | $82,570 | 60 | $68,173 |
| Vermont | $62,910 | $55,020 | $77,400 | 140 | $64,221 |
| Indiana | $62,780 | $47,510 | $76,730 | 1,040 | $67,267 |
| Louisiana | $62,760 | $50,120 | $78,880 | 810 | $71,151 |
| Maine | $61,970 | $48,140 | $79,180 | 180 | $63,854 |
| Virginia | $61,860 | $49,170 | $87,240 | 830 | $61,185 |
| Wisconsin | $61,820 | $47,360 | $78,160 | 620 | $65,700 |
| Arizona | $61,710 | $48,330 | $89,080 | 590 | $61,295 |
| Ohio | $61,420 | $49,700 | $75,100 | 2,100 | $66,204 |
| Florida | $61,350 | $48,890 | $80,370 | 1,430 | $59,325 |
| Oklahoma | $61,320 | $33,800 | $84,810 | 360 | $69,806 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,060 | $46,960 | $77,920 | 1,870 | $62,579 |
| Nebraska | $61,020 | $48,480 | $76,080 | 270 | $67,722 |
| North Dakota | $60,900 | $48,220 | $77,360 | 110 | $68,459 |
| Kentucky | $60,680 | $45,500 | $82,480 | 720 | $67,303 |
| Idaho | $60,410 | $52,940 | $88,540 | 170 | $63,261 |
| New Hampshire | $60,200 | $46,640 | $93,050 | 210 | $57,793 |
| Montana | $60,090 | $51,380 | $101,460 | 50 | $63,490 |
| Tennessee | $59,850 | $44,030 | $75,510 | 580 | $65,146 |
| Nevada | $59,820 | $31,200 | $106,060 | 180 | $59,833 |
| Delaware | $59,650 | $41,080 | $88,490 | 50 | $59,765 |
| Michigan | $59,280 | $46,580 | $74,790 | 870 | $61,611 |
| South Carolina | $59,240 | $43,360 | $76,120 | 530 | $63,190 |
| Kansas | $59,140 | $47,160 | $78,600 | 390 | $65,662 |
| Missouri | $58,660 | $47,540 | $70,910 | 510 | $64,591 |
| South Dakota | $58,620 | $47,630 | $64,130 | 150 | $66,173 |
| Mississippi | $58,180 | $49,160 | $75,730 | 200 | $66,910 |
| Oregon | $57,790 | $50,420 | $86,120 | 280 | $55,911 |
| Arkansas | $57,240 | $47,350 | $72,900 | 240 | $65,841 |
| North Carolina | $56,540 | $46,740 | $77,000 | 990 | $59,941 |
| Iowa | $55,430 | $47,250 | $69,620 | 570 | $63,159 |
| West Virginia | $50,510 | $41,020 | $72,800 | 110 | $56,438 |
| Alabama | $46,940 | $38,110 | $63,840 | 840 | $52,847 |
BLS does not publish pay for athletic trainers in 1 state (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Athletic trainer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes athletic trainer pay: 160 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $89,630
- McAllen, TX $82,480
- Riverside, CA $79,950
- Trenton, NJ $78,910
- Corpus Christi, TX $78,580
- San Francisco, CA $77,840
- Sacramento, CA $77,580
- Los Angeles, CA $76,890
- New York, NY $76,500
- Honolulu, HI $75,540
Where the pay goes furthest
- McAllen, TX $96,024
- Corpus Christi, TX $84,795
- San Jose, CA $81,170
- Shreveport, LA $80,705
- El Paso, TX $80,356
- Beaumont, TX $79,582
- Brownsville, TX $77,336
- Trenton, NJ $76,478
- Houma, LA $76,308
- Albuquerque, NM $75,817
All 160 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $89,630 | 120 | $81,170 | 51% |
| McAllen, TX | $82,480 | 90 | $96,024 | 16% |
| Riverside, CA | $79,950 | 240 | $75,111 | 38% |
| Trenton, NJ | $78,910 | 50 | $76,478 | 38% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $78,580 | 50 | $84,795 | 22% |
| San Francisco, CA | $77,840 | 250 | $67,328 | 53% |
| Sacramento, CA | $77,580 | 60 | $72,729 | 35% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $76,890 | 560 | $67,705 | 46% |
| New York, NY | $76,500 | 1,330 | $67,962 | 56% |
| Honolulu, HI | $75,540 | 160 | $68,078 | 48% |
| Washington, DC | $75,390 | 390 | $69,239 | 38% |
| Fresno, CA | $74,650 | 50 | $73,073 | 33% |
| San Diego, CA | $73,770 | 200 | $65,933 | 48% |
| Waterbury, CT | $72,800 | 30 | $72,962 | – |
| Madison, WI | $72,780 | 130 | $74,810 | 29% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $72,440 | 90 | $75,817 | 25% |
| Hartford, CT | $72,360 | 40 | $70,426 | 33% |
| El Paso, TX | $72,250 | 90 | $80,356 | 25% |
| Houston, TX | $72,150 | 480 | $73,153 | 27% |
| Boston, MA | $71,880 | 490 | $66,392 | 50% |
| Beaumont, TX | $71,660 | 30 | $79,582 | 22% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $71,140 | 100 | $66,571 | 49% |
| Corvallis, OR | $70,120 | 40 | $67,412 | 31% |
| Seattle, WA | $69,980 | 130 | $62,970 | 39% |
| Shreveport, LA | $68,410 | – | $80,705 | 22% |
| York, PA | $68,150 | 50 | $70,990 | 24% |
| Lubbock, TX | $68,060 | 40 | $74,532 | 23% |
| New Haven, CT | $67,630 | 70 | $64,681 | 36% |
| Lafayette, IN | $67,210 | 30 | $71,936 | 26% |
| Brownsville, TX | $66,490 | 60 | $77,336 | 27% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $66,390 | 60 | $66,962 | 37% |
| Atlanta, GA | $66,140 | 360 | $66,102 | 33% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $65,980 | 130 | $65,412 | 30% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $65,830 | 490 | $62,802 | 32% |
| San Antonio, TX | $65,800 | 240 | $69,471 | 26% |
| Chicago, IL | $65,780 | 650 | $63,497 | 39% |
| Lansing, MI | $65,620 | 40 | $69,080 | 24% |
| Fargo, ND | $65,440 | 50 | $72,014 | 20% |
| Champaign, IL | $65,400 | 40 | $70,547 | 25% |
| Ogden, UT | $65,160 | 50 | $64,933 | 30% |
| Boulder, CO | $65,110 | 50 | $61,890 | 40% |
| Portland, ME | $65,070 | 90 | $63,883 | 42% |
| Houma, LA | $64,940 | 40 | $76,308 | 24% |
| North Port, FL | $64,770 | 50 | $63,241 | 39% |
| Athens, GA | $64,590 | 130 | $69,196 | 33% |
| Denver, CO | $64,580 | 160 | $61,050 | 35% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $64,530 | 170 | $71,376 | 26% |
| Duluth, MN | $64,460 | 50 | $72,616 | 25% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $64,430 | 30 | $63,978 | 33% |
| Huntington, WV | $64,360 | 70 | $72,787 | 20% |
| Providence, RI | $64,290 | – | $63,170 | 40% |
| Burlington, VT | $64,210 | 60 | $63,606 | 48% |
| Austin, TX | $64,150 | 650 | $65,415 | 30% |
| Provo, UT | $64,030 | 70 | $65,182 | 33% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $63,840 | 770 | $62,250 | 36% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $63,750 | 220 | $70,225 | 26% |
| Spokane, WA | $63,750 | 40 | $63,530 | 28% |
| Miami, FL | $63,560 | 490 | $55,679 | 50% |
| Dayton, OH | $63,490 | 150 | $68,494 | 25% |
| Kansas City, MO | $63,430 | 210 | $68,541 | 29% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $63,380 | 100 | $68,466 | 24% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $63,370 | 430 | $66,220 | 29% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $63,330 | 100 | $62,778 | 36% |
| Springfield, MA | $63,250 | 30 | $65,844 | 37% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $63,230 | 50 | $66,634 | 32% |
| Syracuse, NY | $62,970 | 90 | $65,771 | 31% |
| Charleston, SC | $62,690 | 100 | $62,093 | 39% |
| Iowa City, IA | $62,660 | 40 | $68,474 | 34% |
| Albany, NY | $62,630 | 70 | $62,903 | 32% |
| Lincoln, NE | $62,590 | 80 | $68,344 | 25% |
| Baltimore, MD | $62,560 | 170 | $59,873 | 37% |
| Dallas, TX | $62,520 | 790 | $60,646 | 32% |
| College Station, TX | $62,410 | 50 | $68,619 | 29% |
| Allentown, PA | $62,350 | 170 | $62,370 | 35% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $62,350 | 50 | $68,252 | 30% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $62,010 | 400 | $65,020 | 29% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $61,880 | 100 | $56,552 | 44% |
| Nashville, TN | $61,830 | 230 | $64,180 | 35% |
| La Crosse, WI | $61,820 | 40 | $67,365 | 26% |
| Cleveland, OH | $61,800 | 430 | $65,799 | 28% |
| Lexington, KY | $61,710 | 170 | $66,434 | 31% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $61,710 | 460 | $59,729 | 33% |
| Mankato, MN | $61,670 | 30 | $67,803 | 24% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $61,580 | 30 | $61,431 | – |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $61,580 | 190 | $62,875 | 37% |
| Columbia, MO | $61,540 | 60 | $68,807 | 28% |
| Reno, NV | $61,440 | 40 | $60,823 | 40% |
| Columbus, OH | $61,420 | 430 | $64,335 | 30% |
| Auburn, AL | $61,410 | 40 | $69,837 | 31% |
| Orlando, FL | $61,350 | 190 | $60,492 | 38% |
| Slidell, LA | $61,300 | 30 | $66,109 | – |
| Palm Bay, FL | $61,270 | 50 | $61,267 | 37% |
| Tucson, AZ | $61,130 | 40 | $63,088 | 29% |
| Worcester, MA | $61,020 | 60 | $59,518 | 41% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $60,940 | 40 | $59,541 | 36% |
| Toledo, OH | $60,890 | 80 | $66,579 | 25% |
| Lawrence, KS | $60,820 | 40 | $67,396 | 31% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $60,640 | 150 | $62,556 | 31% |
| Florence, SC | $60,550 | 60 | $69,779 | 30% |
| Tampa, FL | $60,450 | 170 | $59,917 | 40% |
| Rochester, NY | $60,440 | 140 | $62,287 | 30% |
| Richmond, VA | $60,370 | 160 | $61,691 | 34% |
| New Orleans, LA | $60,340 | 220 | $65,164 | 31% |
| Akron, OH | $60,330 | 220 | $64,614 | 26% |
| Louisville, KY | $60,190 | 240 | $64,669 | 27% |
| Reading, PA | $59,940 | 30 | $61,756 | 31% |
| St. Louis, MO | $59,900 | 160 | $62,994 | 29% |
| Boise, ID | $59,820 | 80 | $60,798 | 39% |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,770 | 70 | $60,892 | 34% |
| Gainesville, GA | $59,750 | – | $61,747 | 34% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $59,640 | 130 | $59,512 | 35% |
| Knoxville, TN | $59,570 | 70 | $64,352 | 35% |
| Lafayette, LA | $59,570 | – | $68,307 | 28% |
| Savannah, GA | $59,520 | 30 | $62,517 | 36% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $59,470 | 120 | $62,242 | 33% |
| Detroit, MI | $59,430 | 300 | $59,253 | 31% |
| Portland, OR | $59,370 | 160 | $56,317 | 36% |
| Pensacola, FL | $59,340 | 90 | $60,726 | 35% |
| Killeen, TX | $59,330 | 60 | $65,103 | 26% |
| Macon, GA | $59,290 | 40 | $66,973 | 25% |
| Tulsa, OK | $59,290 | 70 | $66,458 | 28% |
| Omaha, NE | $59,180 | 110 | $64,388 | 28% |
| Muncie, IN | $59,120 | 30 | $67,069 | 21% |
| Lancaster, PA | $58,940 | 130 | $59,986 | 32% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $58,930 | 120 | $64,024 | 31% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $58,620 | 60 | $64,680 | 26% |
| Manchester, NH | $58,300 | 50 | $55,179 | 45% |
| Columbia, SC | $58,170 | 100 | $62,106 | 32% |
| Canton, OH | $58,050 | 40 | $64,929 | 24% |
| Wichita, KS | $58,010 | 60 | $65,219 | 25% |
| Memphis, TN | $58,000 | 100 | $62,921 | 29% |
| Augusta, GA | $57,520 | 30 | $62,588 | 31% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $57,350 | 50 | $62,702 | 32% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $57,330 | 120 | $57,627 | 35% |
| South Bend, IN | $57,290 | 50 | $61,696 | 26% |
| Charlotte, NC | $56,970 | 310 | $58,522 | 37% |
| Little Rock, AR | $56,740 | 90 | $63,493 | 26% |
| Waco, TX | $56,730 | 50 | $61,297 | 30% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $56,630 | 60 | $62,797 | 26% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $56,510 | 400 | $59,691 | 31% |
| Buffalo, NY | $56,410 | 120 | $58,856 | 31% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $56,230 | 100 | $56,999 | 32% |
| Wilmington, NC | $55,980 | 30 | $58,057 | 37% |
| Erie, PA | $55,150 | 50 | $60,638 | 25% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $54,810 | 30 | $63,451 | 22% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $54,550 | 40 | $58,254 | 38% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $54,460 | 80 | $61,216 | 27% |
| Springfield, MO | $53,930 | 50 | $60,879 | 28% |
| Hickory, NC | $53,440 | 30 | $60,394 | 36% |
| Asheville, NC | $52,610 | 50 | $54,515 | 39% |
| Greensboro, NC | $52,250 | 80 | $56,264 | 32% |
| Davenport, IA | $52,120 | 30 | $58,510 | 23% |
| Deltona, FL | $52,090 | 40 | $52,422 | 41% |
| Huntsville, AL | $51,550 | 90 | $55,387 | 32% |
| Lakeland, FL | $51,390 | 30 | $52,902 | 42% |
| Greenville, SC | $51,240 | 130 | $54,943 | 37% |
| Des Moines, IA | $50,110 | 180 | $54,645 | 31% |
| Mobile, AL | $50,070 | 60 | $56,834 | 31% |
| Birmingham, AL | $46,280 | 400 | $50,500 | 36% |
| Montgomery, AL | $43,850 | 60 | $48,895 | 38% |
What the median athletic trainer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $62,520 |
| Month | $5,210 |
| Every two weeks | $2,405 |
| Week | $1,202 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an athletic trainer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +12.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 2,400 |
| Self-employed | 5.9% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about athletic trainer pay
How much does an athletic trainer make an hour?
BLS publishes only yearly pay for athletic trainers, because they are usually paid a salary for a school or contract year rather than by the hour. The median is $62,520 a year.
How much does an athletic trainer make a month?
About $5,210 a month before taxes at the median salary of $62,520, or $2,405 every two weeks.
What state pays athletic trainers the most?
California, with a median of $78,490. Hawaii ($76,320), New Jersey ($76,210), the District of Columbia ($74,450) and New Mexico ($72,440) follow.
Where do athletic trainers make the most after cost of living?
New Mexico: its median of $72,440 is worth $78,558 at typical US prices. Louisiana, California and New Jersey come next.
How much do entry-level athletic trainers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of athletic trainers earn under $48,180 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $55,130, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an athletic trainer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a master's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-9091 (Athletic Trainers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.