Athletic Trainer Salary

Franklin vs Jersey City: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Franklin, NJ and Jersey City, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Franklin, NJ
$76,398
$36.73/hr
Jersey City, NJ
$81,416
$39.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, NJJersey City, NJ
Median Salary$76,398$81,416
Hourly Rate$36.73$39.14
Entry Level (P10)$59,036$58,747
25th Percentile$66,916$68,937
75th Percentile$90,496$98,004
Top Earner (P90)$106,342$118,035
Total Employed1542
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($76,398) and Jersey City ($81,416) athletic trainer salaries.FranklinJersey CityMedian Salary$76,398$81,416Entry Level (P10)$59,036$58,747Top Earner (P90)$106,342$118,035US Median $65,415

Verdict

Jersey City, NJ offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Franklin.

The salary gap between Franklin and Jersey City is $5,018 (6.57%). Jersey City's median is +24.46% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $47,306,Jersey City spans $59,288. Jersey City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$59,036
P25$66,916
Median$76,398
P75$90,496
P90 (Top)$106,342
Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$58,747
P25$68,937
Median$81,416
P75$98,004
P90 (Top)$118,035

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jersey City ($70,674 effective) pays 6.57% more than Franklin ($66,318 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $76,398
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $66,318
Jersey City
Nominal: $81,416
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $70,674

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Jersey City if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,416/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($118,035)
  • Larger job market (42 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,674)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Franklin grew -5.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -2.3% growth in Jersey City over the same period.

Franklin, NJ

+-5.3%

$77,081 (2024) → $73,017 (2025)

Jersey City, NJ

+-2.3%

$79,657 (2024) → $77,813 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Franklin or Jersey City?

Jersey City has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $81,416/year, compared to Franklin at $76,398/year — a difference of $5,018 (6.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Jersey City?

Franklin athletic trainers earn $36.73/hr while Jersey City hygienists earn $39.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Franklin to Jersey City as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Jersey City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $66,318, Jersey City = $70,674), job availability (15 vs 42 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Franklin vs Jersey City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $59,036 in Franklin and $58,747 in Jersey City. The Franklin 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