Athletic Trainer Salary

Huntsville vs Northport: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Huntsville, AL and Northport, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntsville, AL
$53,937
$25.93/hr
Northport, AL
$51,156
$24.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALNorthport, AL
Median Salary$53,937$51,156
Hourly Rate$25.93$24.60
Entry Level (P10)$45,713$39,289
25th Percentile$45,922$44,412
75th Percentile$63,333$59,656
Top Earner (P90)$73,136$69,284
Total Employed905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($53,937) and Northport ($51,156) athletic trainer salaries.HuntsvilleNorthportMedian Salary$53,937$51,156Entry Level (P10)$45,713$39,289Top Earner (P90)$73,136$69,284US Median $65,415

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Northport.

The salary gap between Huntsville and Northport is $2,781 (5.44%). Huntsville's median is -17.55% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntsville spans $27,423,Northport spans $29,995. Northport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$45,713
P25$45,922
Median$53,937
P75$63,333
P90 (Top)$73,136
Northport
P10 (Entry)$39,289
P25$44,412
Median$51,156
P75$59,656
P90 (Top)$69,284

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Northport ($58,198 effective) pays 0.42% more than Huntsville ($57,952 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $53,937
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $57,952
Northport
Nominal: $51,156
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $58,198

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,937/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($73,136)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Northport if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,198)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Huntsville grew 19.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.7% growth in Northport over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+19.4%

$43,170 (2019) → $51,550 (2025)

Northport, AL

+18.7%

$41,200 (2024) → $48,892 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Huntsville or Northport?

Huntsville has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $53,937/year, compared to Northport at $51,156/year — a difference of $2,781 (5.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Northport?

Huntsville athletic trainers earn $25.93/hr while Northport hygienists earn $24.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntsville to Northport as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Northport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $57,952, Northport = $58,198), job availability (90 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Huntsville vs Northport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $45,713 in Huntsville and $39,289 in Northport. The Huntsville 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