Athletic Trainer Salary

Cincinnati vs Westerville: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$64,881
$31.19/hr
Westerville, OH
$63,411
$30.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHWesterville, OH
Median Salary$64,881$63,411
Hourly Rate$31.19$30.49
Entry Level (P10)$52,461$49,805
25th Percentile$55,747$55,868
75th Percentile$69,725$73,372
Top Earner (P90)$81,266$84,938
Total Employed4008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($64,881) and Westerville ($63,411) athletic trainer salaries.CincinnatiWestervilleMedian Salary$64,881$63,411Entry Level (P10)$52,461$49,805Top Earner (P90)$81,266$84,938US Median $65,415

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Westerville is $1,470 (2.32%). 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,Westerville spans $35,133. Westerville 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
Westerville
P10 (Entry)$49,805
P25$55,868
Median$63,411
P75$73,372
P90 (Top)$84,938

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Westerville ($69,913 effective) pays 2.77% more than Cincinnati ($68,031 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $64,881
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $68,031
Westerville
Nominal: $63,411
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $69,913

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 Westerville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,938)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,913)
  • 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 Westerville over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+25.7%

$49,340 (2019) → $62,010 (2025)

Westerville, OH

+20.9%

$50,118 (2024) → $60,605 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Cincinnati or Westerville?

Cincinnati has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $64,881/year, compared to Westerville at $63,411/year — a difference of $1,470 (2.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Westerville?

Cincinnati athletic trainers earn $31.19/hr while Westerville hygienists earn $30.49/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Westerville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $68,031, Westerville = $69,913), job availability (400 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $52,461 in Cincinnati and $49,805 in Westerville. 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