A career as an athletic trainer is a dynamic and rewarding path for anyone passionate about healthcare, sports, and human performance. These highly skilled professionals are critical to the health and safety of athletes and active individuals everywhere. But beyond the passion, a crucial question for anyone considering this field is: what is the earning potential?
The answer is promising. The average athletic trainer salary in the United States typically falls between $55,000 and $65,000 per year, with the official median salary sitting at $57,890 annually. However, this number is just the starting point. With the right experience, location, and specialization, top earners in the field can command salaries well over $80,000.
This guide will break down everything you need to know about athletic trainer salaries, the factors that drive them, and the bright future of this growing profession.
What Does an Athletic Trainer Do?
Before we dive into the numbers, it's important to understand the role. Certified Athletic Trainers (ATs) are not personal trainers; they are licensed healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
Their work isn't confined to the sidelines of a football field. You'll find athletic trainers in a diverse range of environments, including:
- Colleges and universities
- High schools
- Professional sports teams
- Hospitals and sports medicine clinics
- Corporate offices and industrial settings (occupational health)
- The military
- Performing arts (e.g., ballet companies, theatre productions)
This diversity of work settings is one of the key factors that influence salary, which we'll explore below.
Average Athletic Trainer Salary
When analyzing compensation, it's best to look at multiple data points to get a complete picture. Here’s how the numbers break down from the most authoritative sources.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, the most recent data from May 2023 shows:
- Median Annual Salary: $57,890 ($27.83 per hour)
- Lowest 10% Earned: Less than $44,790
- Highest 10% Earned: More than $80,070
Reputable salary aggregators provide a similar, real-time perspective:
- Salary.com reports the median athletic trainer salary in the U.S. is around $59,451, with the typical range falling between $54,524 and $65,595.
- Glassdoor places the average salary at approximately $57,000 per year, based on user-submitted data.
- Payscale notes an average base salary of about $54,300, with total pay potentially increasing with bonuses and profit-sharing.
These figures paint a clear picture: a solid, middle-class income is the standard, with significant room for growth.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your salary as an athletic trainer isn't set in stone. Several key factors can dramatically impact your earning potential. Understanding these levers is the key to maximizing your income throughout your career.
### Level of Education
As of 2022, a Master's degree is the new standard for entry into the profession. All aspiring athletic trainers must graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). While a master's degree is the baseline for certification and employment, pursuing a doctorate—such as a Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT)—can open doors to higher-paying leadership roles, research positions, and academic appointments in university settings. These advanced roles often come with a significant salary premium.
### Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most significant drivers of salary growth. As you build your clinical skills, professional network, and reputation, your value to an employer increases.
- Entry-Level (0-3 years): New graduates can expect to earn on the lower end of the spectrum, typically in the $45,000 to $52,000 range as they gain practical experience.
- Mid-Career (4-9 years): With a solid foundation of experience, athletic trainers can see their salaries climb into the $55,000 to $65,000 range. This is often the stage where they take on more responsibility or move into more demanding roles.
- Senior-Level (10+ years): Highly experienced athletic trainers, especially those in head athletic trainer or director roles, can command salaries in the $70,000s and above. Those in top-tier professional sports or senior administrative positions in large clinical systems can earn well into the six figures.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters. Salaries can vary significantly based on state and even metropolitan area due to differences in demand, cost of living, and state-level funding for athletic programs.
According to the BLS, the top-paying states for athletic trainers are:
1. District of Columbia: $76,930
2. California: $71,110
3. Washington: $69,720
4. Maryland: $68,360
5. New Jersey: $67,730
It is crucial to balance these higher salaries against the local cost of living. A high salary in an expensive metropolitan area like Los Angeles may not have the same purchasing power as a slightly lower salary in a more affordable region.
### Company Type
The setting where you practice has a profound impact on your pay. The BLS identifies a clear hierarchy in industry-specific wages.
- Professional Sports Teams: This is often the highest-paying sector, but positions are extremely competitive and limited. Salaries can vary widely, from modest in minor leagues to very high in major professional leagues.
- Hospitals (State, Local, and Private): Working in a clinical or hospital setting is a rapidly growing area for ATs. These roles often offer competitive salaries and strong benefits packages, with average wages often exceeding the national median.
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: This is a traditional and stable employment setting. Salaries are often strong, particularly at the NCAA Division I level, where experienced head athletic trainers can be among the higher earners in the profession.
- High Schools (Public and Private): Salaries in this setting are often tied to teacher pay scales and can vary dramatically by school district. While often on the lower end of the pay scale, these jobs can provide excellent work-life balance and benefits.
- Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers: This sector includes private sports performance clinics and fitness centers, with pay that is often competitive but can be more variable based on the organization's size and success.
### Area of Specialization
While "athletic training" is itself a specialty, further specialization can increase your value. Earning additional certifications like the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) can make you a more attractive candidate and open up hybrid roles. Furthermore, developing expertise in niche areas such as performing arts medicine, industrial/occupational health, or advanced manual therapy techniques can lead to consulting opportunities or higher-paying positions in specialized clinics.
Job Outlook
The future for athletic trainers is incredibly bright. The BLS projects that employment for athletic trainers will grow by 14% between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
This exceptional growth is fueled by:
- Increased awareness of the long-term effects of sports-related injuries, particularly concussions.
- The expansion of athletic trainers into non-sport settings like manufacturing and the military to prevent and treat workplace injuries.
- An active aging population that requires rehabilitation services to stay healthy.
This high demand will create approximately 2,500 new job openings each year, ensuring strong job security for qualified professionals entering the field.
Conclusion
A career as an athletic trainer is more than just a job; it's a calling to help people perform at their best and recover safely. Financially, it offers a solid and respectable income with a clear path for growth.
Here are the key takeaways:
- The median salary is robust, hovering around $57,890, with top professionals earning over $80,000.
- Your earning potential is in your hands. You can actively increase it through gaining experience, choosing a high-demand work setting, and locating in a favorable geographic area.
- The job outlook is excellent, with projected growth far outpacing the national average, promising a secure and in-demand career.
For those looking to merge a passion for healthcare with the world of physical activity, becoming an athletic trainer is a professionally and financially rewarding choice with a bright future ahead.