How Much Do Athletic Trainers Make in 2026? (Salary Guide)

Updated

Athletic trainers in the US earn $53,840 on average — with professional sports and D1 college trainers earning $80,000-$200,000+.

Average Athletic Trainer Salary in 2026

Metric Amount
Average athletic trainer salary $53,840
Median athletic trainer salary $52,530
Entry level (new grad) $40,000-$48,000
Mid-career (5-10 years) $55,000-$70,000
Senior/Head positions $70,000-$120,000+
Top 10% earn $76,000+
Hourly rate (average) $25.88

Athletic Trainer Salary by Setting

Setting Salary Range
Professional Sports (head AT) $100,000-$250,000+
Professional Sports (assistant) $60,000-$120,000
NCAA Division I (head) $70,000-$120,000
NCAA Division I (assistant) $45,000-$65,000
NCAA Division II $45,000-$65,000
NCAA Division III $40,000-$55,000
Hospital/Clinic $55,000-$75,000
Industrial/Occupational $55,000-$80,000
High School $45,000-$60,000
High School (outreach model) $38,000-$50,000
Performing Arts $50,000-$70,000
Military $50,000-$75,000

Professional Sports Premium

League Head AT Salary Range
NFL $150,000-$350,000
NBA $120,000-$300,000
MLB $100,000-$250,000
NHL $100,000-$200,000
MLS $70,000-$150,000

These positions are extremely competitive with few openings annually.

Athletic Trainer Salary by Experience

Experience Level Typical Salary
New Graduate (0-1 year) $42,000
1-3 years $46,000
3-5 years $52,000
5-10 years $60,000
10-15 years $70,000
15+ years (head/director) $80,000+

Athletic Trainer Salary by State

Highest Paying States

State Average Salary
New Jersey $68,000
California $65,000
Connecticut $63,000
District of Columbia $65,000
Hawaii $62,000

Lowest Paying States

State Average Salary
West Virginia $42,000
Mississippi $43,000
Arkansas $44,000
Louisiana $45,000
South Dakota $45,000

Athletic Trainer Salary After Taxes

Gross Salary Federal Tax FICA State Tax (avg) Take-Home
$45,000 $3,000 $3,443 $1,800 $36,757
$53,840 $4,600 $4,119 $2,154 $42,967
$70,000 $7,900 $5,355 $2,800 $53,945
$100,000 $14,700 $7,650 $4,000 $73,650

Athletic Trainer Education & Certification

Required Credentials

Requirement Details
Degree Master’s degree (required since 2022)
Certification BOC (Board of Certification)
License Required in most states
Time to credential 6-7 years (bachelor’s + master’s)

Education Costs

Component Range
Bachelor’s degree $40,000-$150,000
Master’s degree (AT program) $30,000-$80,000
Total $70,000-$230,000

Entry-level debt can be significant relative to starting salaries.

Pathways to Higher AT Salaries

  1. Professional sports — Extremely competitive, highest pay
  2. Division I athletics — $70K-$120K for head positions
  3. Industrial/occupational — Growing field, $55K-$80K
  4. Clinical/hospital — More stable, $55K-$75K
  5. Head AT positions — Management premium
  6. Professional certifications — Specialty credentials
  7. Geographic mobility — Be willing to relocate
  8. Network extensively — Many positions filled through connections

Job Outlook for Athletic Trainers

Metric Data
Projected growth (2022-2032) 14% (much faster than average)
Annual job openings 3,400
Demand drivers Sports safety awareness, aging active population
Growth areas Youth sports, industrial, performing arts
Role Average Salary Education
Physical Therapist $97,720 DPT (7 years)
Physical Therapist Assistant $62,770 Associate’s (2 years)
Athletic Trainer $53,840 Master’s (6-7 years)
Personal Trainer $46,480 Certificate
Exercise Physiologist $51,350 Bachelor’s/Master’s

Athletic trainers require more education than personal trainers but earn similar entry-level pay.

Is Athletic Training a Good Career?

Pros:

  • Meaningful work in sports/healthcare
  • Good job growth (14%)
  • Diverse settings possible
  • Direct patient care
  • Work with athletes/active individuals
  • Professional sports pathway (rare)

Cons:

  • Entry-level pay modest for master’s degree
  • Long, irregular hours (games, practices)
  • Weekend/holiday work common
  • Physical demands
  • High education cost vs. salary
  • Professional sports jobs very limited
  • High school positions often low-paying

Work-Life Balance Considerations

Setting Schedule Work-Life
College athletics Irregular, seasonal Challenging
High school After school, weekends Moderate
Professional sports Intense during season Difficult
Clinical More regular hours Better
Industrial Standard business hours Good

Bottom Line

Athletic trainers earn $53,840/year on average, with significant variation by setting. Professional sports ($100K-$250K+) and D1 college ($70K-$120K) pay the most, but positions are extremely competitive. Most athletic trainers work in high schools, clinics, or smaller college programs earning $45,000-$65,000. The profession requires a master’s degree, making the education-to-salary ratio challenging. Job growth (14%) is strong, with industrial and clinical settings offering better work-life balance than traditional sports settings.

Tags: