Athletic Trainer Salary

Cincinnati vs Lorain: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$64,881
$31.19/hr
Lorain, OH
$64,957
$31.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHLorain, OH
Median Salary$64,881$64,957
Hourly Rate$31.19$31.23
Entry Level (P10)$52,461$47,917
25th Percentile$55,747$59,135
75th Percentile$69,725$76,657
Top Earner (P90)$81,266$90,023
Total Employed40012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($64,881) and Lorain ($64,957) athletic trainer salaries.CincinnatiLorainMedian Salary$64,881$64,957Entry Level (P10)$52,461$47,917Top Earner (P90)$81,266$90,023US Median $65,415

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Lorain is $76 (0.12%). Lorain's median is -0.70% 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,Lorain spans $42,106. Lorain 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
Lorain
P10 (Entry)$47,917
P25$59,135
Median$64,957
P75$76,657
P90 (Top)$90,023

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lorain ($71,617 effective) pays 5.27% more than Cincinnati ($68,031 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $64,881
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $68,031
Lorain
Nominal: $64,957
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $71,617

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Lorain if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,957/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,023)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,617)
  • 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 Lorain over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+25.7%

$49,340 (2019) → $62,010 (2025)

Lorain, OH

+20.9%

$51,340 (2024) → $62,083 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Cincinnati or Lorain?

Lorain has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $64,957/year, compared to Cincinnati at $64,881/year — a difference of $76 (0.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Lorain?

Cincinnati athletic trainers earn $31.19/hr while Lorain hygienists earn $31.23/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Lorain. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $68,031, Lorain = $71,617), job availability (400 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $52,461 in Cincinnati and $47,917 in Lorain. 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