Athletic Trainer Salary

Cincinnati vs Gahanna: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$64,881
$31.19/hr
Gahanna, OH
$63,451
$30.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHGahanna, OH
Median Salary$64,881$63,451
Hourly Rate$31.19$30.51
Entry Level (P10)$52,461$49,903
25th Percentile$55,747$55,953
75th Percentile$69,725$74,833
Top Earner (P90)$81,266$85,069
Total Employed4009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($64,881) and Gahanna ($63,451) athletic trainer salaries.CincinnatiGahannaMedian Salary$64,881$63,451Entry Level (P10)$52,461$49,903Top Earner (P90)$81,266$85,069US Median $65,415

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Gahanna.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Gahanna is $1,430 (2.25%). Cincinnati's median is -0.82% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $28,805,Gahanna spans $35,166. Gahanna has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$52,461
P25$55,747
Median$64,881
P75$69,725
P90 (Top)$81,266
Gahanna
P10 (Entry)$49,903
P25$55,953
Median$63,451
P75$74,833
P90 (Top)$85,069

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gahanna ($69,957 effective) pays 2.83% more than Cincinnati ($68,031 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $64,881
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $68,031
Gahanna
Nominal: $63,451
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $69,957

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,881/year)
  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Gahanna if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,069)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,957)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Cincinnati grew 25.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.9% growth in Gahanna over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+25.7%

$49,340 (2019) → $62,010 (2025)

Gahanna, OH

+20.9%

$50,149 (2024) → $60,643 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Cincinnati or Gahanna?

Cincinnati has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $64,881/year, compared to Gahanna at $63,451/year — a difference of $1,430 (2.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Gahanna?

Cincinnati athletic trainers earn $31.19/hr while Gahanna hygienists earn $30.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Gahanna as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Gahanna. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $68,031, Gahanna = $69,957), job availability (400 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Cincinnati vs Gahanna?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $52,461 in Cincinnati and $49,903 in Gahanna. The Cincinnati 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