Athletic trainers prevent, diagnose, and treat muscle and bone injuries — working everywhere from high school sidelines to professional sports teams to hospital clinics. Here’s the full salary picture.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for athletic trainers, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| 25th | $55,130 | $26.50 |
| 50th (median) | $62,520 | $30.06 |
| 75th | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| 90th | $88,760 | $42.67 |
| Average (mean) | $66,620 | $32.03 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Athletic Trainers (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Athletic Trainer Salary by Setting
| Setting | Notes |
|---|---|
| Professional Sports Team | Head ATs for NFL/NBA earn $120K+ |
| Hospital/Health System | Growing sector, best benefits |
| Physician Practice (Ortho) | Clinical + outreach |
| Industrial/Occupational | Injury prevention, ergonomics |
| NCAA Division I University | Head AT earns more; assistants less |
| NCAA Division II/III | Often combined with teaching |
| Performing Arts | Dance companies, cirque, Broadway |
| High School | Often part of school budget |
| Military | Contract or GS positions |
Athletic Trainer Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $84,310 | $59,290 | $74,450 |
| 2 | California | $80,780 | $54,770 | $78,490 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $79,790 | $52,040 | $76,210 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $74,680 | $50,900 | $69,960 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $74,390 | $50,560 | $70,010 |
| 6 | New York | $73,730 | $49,990 | $66,230 |
| 7 | Hawaii | $72,560 | $56,110 | $76,320 |
| 8 | Georgia | $72,490 | $48,320 | $64,590 |
| 9 | Texas | $71,800 | $54,750 | $64,150 |
| 10 | Utah | $70,450 | $52,680 | $65,980 |
| 11 | New Mexico | $70,060 | $47,030 | $72,440 |
| 12 | Colorado | $69,050 | $53,390 | $64,580 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $68,750 | $57,910 | $65,390 |
| 14 | Illinois | $68,510 | $49,240 | $64,750 |
| 15 | Montana | $67,950 | $51,380 | $60,090 |
| 16 | Washington | $67,670 | $49,290 | $63,750 |
| 17 | Idaho | $67,210 | $52,940 | $60,410 |
| 18 | Maryland | $67,130 | $48,290 | $63,970 |
| 19 | Virginia | $66,890 | $49,170 | $61,860 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $65,870 | $47,360 | $61,820 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $65,760 | $46,600 | $63,750 |
| 22 | Arizona | $65,640 | $48,330 | $61,710 |
| 23 | Oregon | $65,530 | $50,420 | $57,790 |
| 24 | Vermont | $65,210 | $55,020 | $62,910 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $64,950 | $46,640 | $60,200 |
| 26 | Delaware | $64,850 | $41,080 | $59,650 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $64,850 | $50,120 | $62,760 |
| 28 | Florida | $64,040 | $48,890 | $61,350 |
| 29 | Maine | $63,860 | $48,140 | $61,970 |
| 30 | Nevada | $63,760 | $31,200 | $59,820 |
| 31 | Indiana | $63,680 | $47,510 | $62,780 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $63,320 | $48,360 | $63,190 |
| 33 | Ohio | $63,040 | $49,700 | $61,420 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $62,510 | $46,960 | $61,060 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $62,310 | $33,800 | $61,320 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $62,140 | $48,480 | $61,020 |
| 37 | Michigan | $61,790 | $46,580 | $59,280 |
| 38 | Kansas | $61,410 | $47,160 | $59,140 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $61,320 | $45,500 | $60,680 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $60,320 | $48,220 | $60,900 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $60,080 | $49,160 | $58,180 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $59,800 | $46,740 | $56,540 |
| 43 | Missouri | $59,620 | $47,540 | $58,660 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $58,840 | $47,350 | $57,240 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $58,820 | $43,360 | $59,240 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $57,880 | $47,630 | $58,620 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $57,670 | $44,030 | $59,850 |
| 48 | Iowa | $56,170 | $47,250 | $55,430 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $54,500 | $41,020 | $50,510 |
| 50 | Alabama | $50,760 | $38,110 | $46,940 |
| — | National | $66,620 | $48,180 | $62,520 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Athletic Trainers (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Athletic Trainer Salary by Experience
| Experience | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New Graduate (0-1 year) | $38,000-$45,000 |
| Early Career (1-3 years) | $44,000-$52,000 |
| Mid-Career (3-7 years) | $52,000-$62,000 |
| Experienced (7-15 years) | $60,000-$75,000 |
| Senior/Head AT (15+ years) | $70,000-$100,000+ |
Professional Sports AT Salaries
| League | Head Athletic Trainer | Assistant AT |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | $150,000-$350,000 | $80,000-$150,000 |
| NBA | $120,000-$300,000 | $70,000-$130,000 |
| MLB | $120,000-$250,000 | $65,000-$120,000 |
| NHL | $100,000-$200,000 | $60,000-$100,000 |
| MLS | $70,000-$130,000 | $45,000-$75,000 |
| Minor Leagues | $35,000-$60,000 | $28,000-$40,000 |
These positions are extremely competitive — most require years at the collegiate level plus extensive networking.
Athletic Trainer Career Path
| Role | Salary Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Assistant AT | $10,000-$20,000 (stipend) | During master’s |
| Entry-Level AT | $38,000-$48,000 | Years 1-3 |
| Staff AT (Hospital/Clinical) | $50,000-$65,000 | Years 3-7 |
| Head AT (College) | $55,000-$80,000 | Years 5-10 |
| AT Clinical Coordinator | $60,000-$80,000 | Years 7-12 |
| AT Program Director | $70,000-$95,000 | Years 10+ |
| Pro Sports AT | $70,000-$200,000+ | Years 7-15+ |
| → Physical Therapy (DPT) | $90,000-$110,000 | 3-year doctoral program |
Athletic Trainer vs. Similar Careers
| Career | Median Salary | Education | Job Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist | $99,000 | Doctoral (DPT, 3 yr) | +14% |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,000 | Master’s/Doctoral (2-3 yr) | +12% |
| Exercise Physiologist | $58,000 | Bachelor’s/Master’s | +10% |
| Athletic Trainer | $56,000 | Master’s (2 yr) | +14% |
| Personal Trainer/Coach | $46,000 | Certification | +14% |
How to Maximize Athletic Trainer Salary
| Strategy | Potential Increase |
|---|---|
| Work in hospital/clinical setting | +$5,000-$15,000 over schools |
| Move to professional sports | +$15,000-$80,000+ |
| Relocate to a high-paying state | +$8,000-$20,000 |
| Get specialty certifications (PES, CES, CSCS) | +$2,000-$5,000 |
| Industrial/occupational AT | +$3,000-$10,000 |
| Combine AT with teaching (university) | +$5,000-$15,000 |
| Per diem/event coverage (side income) | +$3,000-$10,000 |
| Pursue DPT for dual credential | Opens $90K+ PT track |
Athletic Trainer Income vs. Education Cost
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Master’s program cost (public) | $25,000-$50,000 |
| Master’s program cost (private) | $50,000-$90,000 |
| Average student debt | $30,000-$60,000 |
| Starting salary | $38,000-$48,000 |
| Debt-to-income ratio | 0.6-1.6x |
| Time to pay off | 4-8 years |
The recent shift to master’s-level entry increased education costs without a corresponding salary increase — a concern for the profession.
Job Market & Outlook
| Factor | Status |
|---|---|
| Job growth (2025-2035) | 13% |
| Total employed | ~35,000 |
| Demand areas | High schools (many states mandating), hospitals, industrial |
| Competition for pro sports jobs | Extremely high |
| Emerging sectors | Performing arts, military, industrial |
| State licensure | Growing (most states now require) |
Work-Life Balance
| Setting | Schedule | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital/Clinic | M-F, 40 hrs | Good |
| Industrial/Occupational | M-F, 40 hrs | Good |
| High School | After-school + weekends (games) | Moderate |
| College | Long days + travel + weekends | Challenging |
| Professional Sports | Very long seasons, travel | Challenging |
| Performing Arts | Evening performances, tours | Moderate |
Hospital and industrial settings offer the best work-life balance. Sports settings — especially college and pro — demand evenings, weekends, and travel during season.
Related: Speech Pathologist Salary | Medical Assistant Salary | Respiratory Therapist Salary
Related Salary Guides
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Is It a Good Career?
Good fit for
- Passionate about sports medicine — Primarily motivated by income.
- Values direct patient care — Prefers desk/administrative work.
- Willing to relocate for opportunities — Geographically constrained.
- Patient career builder — Wants fast advancement.
- Accepts education-salary mismatch — Calculates strict ROI.
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