Athletic Trainer Salary

Baltimore vs College Park: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Baltimore, MD and College Park, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$65,457
$31.47/hr
College Park, MD
$69,794
$33.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDCollege Park, MD
Median Salary$65,457$69,794
Hourly Rate$31.47$33.55
Entry Level (P10)$46,916$53,271
25th Percentile$54,366$60,567
75th Percentile$75,407$83,984
Top Earner (P90)$92,775$98,785
Total Employed1706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($65,457) and College Park ($69,794) athletic trainer salaries.BaltimoreCollege ParkMedian Salary$65,457$69,794Entry Level (P10)$46,916$53,271Top Earner (P90)$92,775$98,785US Median $65,415

Verdict

College Park, MD offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baltimore.

The salary gap between Baltimore and College Park is $4,337 (6.63%). College Park's median is +6.69% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $45,859,College Park spans $45,514. Baltimore has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$46,916
P25$54,366
Median$65,457
P75$75,407
P90 (Top)$92,775
College Park
P10 (Entry)$53,271
P25$60,567
Median$69,794
P75$83,984
P90 (Top)$98,785

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, College Park ($63,855 effective) pays 1.93% more than Baltimore ($62,646 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $65,457
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $62,646
College Park
Nominal: $69,794
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $63,855

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose College Park if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,794/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,785)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,855)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Baltimore grew 23.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.8% growth in College Park over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+23.0%

$50,870 (2019) → $62,560 (2025)

College Park, MD

+0.8%

$66,151 (2024) → $66,706 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Baltimore or College Park?

College Park has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $69,794/year, compared to Baltimore at $65,457/year — a difference of $4,337 (6.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and College Park?

Baltimore athletic trainers earn $31.47/hr while College Park hygienists earn $33.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to College Park as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and College Park. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $62,646, College Park = $63,855), job availability (170 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Baltimore vs College Park?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $46,916 in Baltimore and $53,271 in College Park. The College Park area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in athletic training. She specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has worked at several high schools and collegiate athletic programs.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gomez, MS, ATCData verified by David Kim, BS, ATC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov