Athletic Trainer Salary

Covington vs Kennewick: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Covington, WA and Kennewick, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Covington, WA
$65,952
$31.70/hr
Kennewick, WA
$69,699
$33.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCovington, WAKennewick, WA
Median Salary$65,952$69,699
Hourly Rate$31.70$33.51
Entry Level (P10)$51,370$51,415
25th Percentile$60,105$63,397
75th Percentile$77,633$82,146
Top Earner (P90)$89,349$101,110
Total Employed519
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Covington ($65,952) and Kennewick ($69,699) athletic trainer salaries.CovingtonKennewickMedian Salary$65,952$69,699Entry Level (P10)$51,370$51,415Top Earner (P90)$89,349$101,110US Median $65,415

Verdict

Kennewick, WA offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Covington.

The salary gap between Covington and Kennewick is $3,747 (5.68%). Kennewick's median is +6.55% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Covington spans $37,979,Kennewick spans $49,695. Kennewick has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Covington
P10 (Entry)$51,370
P25$60,105
Median$65,952
P75$77,633
P90 (Top)$89,349
Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$51,415
P25$63,397
Median$69,699
P75$82,146
P90 (Top)$101,110

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($64,897 effective) pays 5.68% more than Covington ($61,408 effective).

Covington
Nominal: $65,952
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $61,408
Kennewick
Nominal: $69,699
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $64,897

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Covington if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,699/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,110)
  • Larger job market (19 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,897)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Covington grew -2.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -2.3% growth in Kennewick over the same period.

Covington, WA

+-2.3%

$64,527 (2024) → $63,034 (2025)

Kennewick, WA

+-2.3%

$68,193 (2024) → $66,615 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Covington or Kennewick?

Kennewick has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $69,699/year, compared to Covington at $65,952/year — a difference of $3,747 (5.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Covington and Kennewick?

Covington athletic trainers earn $31.70/hr while Kennewick hygienists earn $33.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Covington to Kennewick as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Covington and Kennewick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Covington = $61,408, Kennewick = $64,897), job availability (5 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Covington vs Kennewick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $51,370 in Covington and $51,415 in Kennewick. The Kennewick 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