How Much Does an Athletic Training Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$62,520
Athletic trainers in the U.S. earn a median of $62,520 a year. Half of athletic trainers earn more than $62,520 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $88,760.
Pay percentiles for athletic trainers
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,180 |
| 25th | $55,130 |
| 50th (median) | $62,520 |
| 75th | $74,630 |
| 90th | $88,760 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Athletic Trainers (SOC 29-9091). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for athletic trainers, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for athletic trainers
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| California | $78,490 | +26% |
| Hawaii | $76,320 | +22% |
| New Jersey | $76,210 | +22% |
| District of Columbia | $74,450 | +19% |
| New Mexico | $72,440 | +16% |
| Massachusetts | $70,010 | +12% |
| Connecticut | $69,960 | +12% |
| New York | $66,230 | +6% |
| Utah | $65,980 | +6% |
| Minnesota | $65,390 | +5% |
| United States | $62,520 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many athletic trainers are there?
BLS counts about 30,500 athletic trainers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in Texas (3,130), Ohio (2,100) and Pennsylvania (1,870).
The mean (average) annual wage is $66,620, higher than the median of $62,520.
Frequently asked questions
How much do athletic trainers make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for athletic trainers, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $62,520.
Which state pays athletic trainers the most?
California has the highest median wage for athletic trainers at $78,490, +26% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for athletic trainers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of athletic trainers earn less than $48,180 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.