Athletic Trainer Salary

Centerville vs Columbus: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Centerville, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Centerville, OH
$59,072
$28.40/hr
Columbus, OH
$64,264
$30.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCenterville, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$59,072$64,264
Hourly Rate$28.40$30.90
Entry Level (P10)$48,690$52,870
25th Percentile$53,647$58,415
75th Percentile$68,017$71,033
Top Earner (P90)$77,860$79,194
Total Employed6430
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centerville ($59,072) and Columbus ($64,264) athletic trainer salaries.CentervilleColumbusMedian Salary$59,072$64,264Entry Level (P10)$48,690$52,870Top Earner (P90)$77,860$79,194US Median $65,415

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Centerville.

The salary gap between Centerville and Columbus is $5,192 (8.79%). Columbus's median is -1.76% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centerville spans $29,170,Columbus spans $26,324. Centerville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Centerville
P10 (Entry)$48,690
P25$53,647
Median$59,072
P75$68,017
P90 (Top)$77,860
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$52,870
P25$58,415
Median$64,264
P75$71,033
P90 (Top)$79,194

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($67,314 effective) pays 3.35% more than Centerville ($65,129 effective).

Centerville
Nominal: $59,072
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $65,129
Columbus
Nominal: $64,264
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $67,314

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centerville if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,264/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,194)
  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,314)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Centerville grew 20.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.0% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Centerville, OH

+20.9%

$46,688 (2024) → $56,458 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+28.0%

$48,000 (2019) → $61,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Centerville or Columbus?

Columbus has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $64,264/year, compared to Centerville at $59,072/year — a difference of $5,192 (8.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centerville and Columbus?

Centerville athletic trainers earn $28.40/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $30.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Centerville to Columbus as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centerville and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centerville = $65,129, Columbus = $67,314), job availability (6 vs 430 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Centerville vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $48,690 in Centerville and $52,870 in Columbus. The Columbus area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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