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The current average salary for an athletic trainer in the United States is $47,028 per year or approximately $23 per hour. This figure can fluctuate based on several factors, including geographic location, level of education, and years of experience. For instance, athletic trainers in states like California and New York often earn more due to higher living costs and greater demand for health professionals.
Entry-level athletic trainers typically earn less, while those with several years of experience can command higher salaries. Specialized certifications and advanced degrees also contribute to increased earning potential.
Career opportunities for athletic trainers are diverse, including roles in schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and healthcare facilities. The demand for certified athletic trainers is expected to grow, making it a promising career choice for those passionate about sports and health.
Understanding the salary landscape and job opportunities available can guide you in making informed career decisions as an athletic trainer. Utilize resources like Zippia to explore job listings and salary estimates tailored to your specific situation.
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The highest-paying states for athletic trainers are Connecticut, California, and New Jersey. The lowest average athletic trainer salary states are Kentucky, Nebraska, and Tennessee.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $58,342 | $28.05 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $47,887 | $23.02 |
| 3 | Vermont | $48,046 | $23.10 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $46,347 | $22.28 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $53,977 | $25.95 |
| 6 | Oregon | $53,911 | $25.92 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| 8 | Texas | $46,374 | $22.30 |
| 9 | Michigan | $46,098 | $22.16 |
| 10 | California | $54,573 | $26.24 |
| 11 | Hawaii | $53,078 | $25.52 |
| 12 | Delaware | $47,474 | $22.82 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $50,613 | $24.33 |
| 14 | New Mexico | $45,235 | $21.75 |
| 15 | Indiana | $44,563 | $21.42 |
| 16 | Nevada | $47,584 | $22.88 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $48,492 | $23.31 |
| 18 | Virginia | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| 19 | New York | $50,863 | $24.45 |
| 20 | Arizona | $44,876 | $21.57 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $43,977 | $21.14 |
| 22 | Iowa | $43,397 | $20.86 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $44,158 | $21.23 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $44,311 | $21.30 |
| 25 | South Carolina | $43,525 | $20.93 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $44,522 | $21.40 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $42,800 | $20.58 |
| 28 | Arkansas | $42,936 | $20.64 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $43,797 | $21.06 |
| 30 | Georgia | $44,717 | $21.50 |
| 31 | Kansas | $42,376 | $20.37 |
| 32 | Montana | $44,344 | $21.32 |
| 33 | Florida | $44,284 | $21.29 |
| 34 | Ohio | $42,383 | $20.38 |
| 35 | Washington | $45,771 | $22.01 |
| 36 | Colorado | $45,559 | $21.90 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $39,804 | $19.14 |
| 38 | Illinois | $42,743 | $20.55 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | $46,497 | $22.35 |
| 40 | Missouri | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| 41 | Utah | $43,213 | $20.78 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $40,272 | $19.36 |
| 43 | Alaska | $37,656 | $18.10 |
| 44 | Maryland | $41,151 | $19.78 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $36,515 | $17.56 |
| 46 | Idaho | $40,718 | $19.58 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $41,569 | $19.99 |
| 49 | Maine | $40,410 | $19.43 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $38,781 | $18.64 |
| 51 | Alabama | $38,412 | $18.47 |
The highest-paying cities for athletic trainers are Greenwich, CT, Los Angeles, CA, and Springfield, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenwich, CT | $59,084 | $28.41 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $54,154 | $26.04 |
| 3 | Springfield, MA | $51,307 | $24.67 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $51,119 | $24.58 |
| 5 | Manassas, VA | $49,324 | $23.71 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $48,489 | $23.31 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $46,945 | $22.57 |
| 8 | Saint George, UT | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| 9 | Detroit, MI | $46,385 | $22.30 |
| 10 | Seattle, WA | $45,957 | $22.09 |
| 11 | Aurora, CO | $45,558 | $21.90 |
| 12 | Columbus, GA | $45,013 | $21.64 |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $44,896 | $21.58 |
| 14 | Coral Gables, FL | $44,715 | $21.50 |
| 15 | Indianapolis, IN | $44,428 | $21.36 |
| 16 | Madison, WI | $44,278 | $21.29 |
| 17 | Fargo, ND | $44,004 | $21.16 |
| 18 | Lancaster, PA | $43,771 | $21.04 |
| 19 | Aurora, IL | $42,692 | $20.52 |
| 20 | Toledo, OH | $42,600 | $20.48 |
An athletic trainer's salary ranges from $35,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $61,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
| 75th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| Average | $47,028 | $3,919 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
The highest paying types of athletic trainers are physical therapist, sports medicine trainer, and resident athletic trainer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologist | $49,399 | $4,117 | $23.75 | 38,633 |
| Physical Therapist | $73,070 | $6,089 | $35.13 | 86,697 |
| Trainer | $47,574 | $3,964 | $22.87 | 40,650 |
| Certified Athletic Trainer | $47,184 | $3,932 | $22.68 | 90,171 |
| Student Athletic Trainer | $47,264 | $3,939 | $22.72 | 64,273 |
| Sports Athletic Trainer | $48,071 | $4,006 | $23.11 | 57,256 |
Top companies hiring athletic trainers now:
Athletic trainer salaries at Ethical Culture Fieldston School and New York University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average athletic trainer salary at companies like Planned Systems International and Dignity Health are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ethical Culture Fieldston School | $65,979 | $31.72 |
| 2 | New York University | $63,885 | $30.71 |
| 3 | Planned Systems International | $63,726 | $30.64 |
| 4 | Dignity Health | $62,845 | $30.21 |
| 5 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| 6 | Mt. San Antonio College | $62,626 | $30.11 |
| 7 | Baptist Health Care | $62,149 | $29.88 |
| 8 | Newton Public Schools | $61,071 | $29.36 |
| 9 | Cerritos College | $60,943 | $29.30 |
| 10 | Southcoast Health | $60,681 | $29.17 |
| 11 | Thomas Jefferson University | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| 12 | Miami Dolphins | $60,151 | $28.92 |
| 13 | D.C. United | $60,024 | $28.86 |
| 14 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $59,941 | $28.82 |
| 15 | Baptist Health Home Care | $59,891 | $28.79 |
| 16 | Children's Hospital Los Angeles | $59,890 | $28.79 |
| 17 | Select Medical | $59,784 | $28.74 |
| 18 | Hancock Wellness | $59,603 | $28.66 |
| 19 | Mary Rutan Hospital | $59,483 | $28.60 |
| 20 | Prairie Ridge Health - Hospital | $59,184 | $28.45 |
The average athletic trainer salary has risen by $7,036 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average athletic trainer earned $39,992 annually, but today, they earn $47,028 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for athletic trainers over the last decade.
Compare athletic trainer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare athletic trainer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,000 | $22.61 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $45,700 | $21.97 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $44,800 | $21.54 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $44,000 | $21.15 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | $43,000 | $20.69 | +2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dartmouth College | Athletic Trainer | Hanover, NH | 06/30/2025 | $53,000 |
| Virtua | Clinical Athletic Trainer, Orthopedics Office | Medford, NJ | 06/30/2025 | $45,517 |
| Academy District 20 | Athletic Trainer (LHS) | Colorado Springs, CO | 06/30/2025 | $46,115 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | Athletic Trainer | San Diego, CA | 06/29/2025 | $68,640 |
| The Principia | Athletic Trainer | Elsah, IL | 06/29/2025 | $47,000 |
| Washington University In St. Louis | Athletic Trainer Clinical-Orthopedic Surgery | Saint Louis, MO | 06/29/2025 | $52,600 |
| Athletico | Athletic Trainer-Industrial PRN | Vernon, IN | 06/28/2025 | $62,610 |
| Essentia Health | Athletic Trainer-Ambulatory Care | Fargo, ND | 06/28/2025 | $47,604 |
| Essentia Health | Athletic Trainer-Medical Orthopedics | Duluth, MN | 06/28/2025 | $47,445 |
| Illinois Bone and Joint Institute | Athletic Trainer (ATC) | Des Plaines, IL | 06/28/2025 | $104,350 |
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