Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Burlington, VT: $58,603 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Burlington, VT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $58,603 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 100.9 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $58,052 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($67,183) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new athletic trainers entering the workforce in Burlington, VT, can expect a starting salary around $58,603, a figure that reflects the initial compensation in this growing field. While this starting athletic trainer salary in Burlington lags behind the city median of $67,183, it represents a solid entry point for recent graduates. As new professionals gain experience, they can anticipate salary growth, rising through the pay scales to reach the P25 threshold of $59,503 within their first few years. With the athletic training profession projected to expand at a rate of 4.63%, Burlington presents a favorable market for new grads looking to establish their careers in sports medicine.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Entry-level athletic trainers in Burlington, VT typically start between $58,603 and $59,503 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $27,382 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $67,183 — 2.7% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Vermont of $70,000 represents just 119.45% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($58,603/year) in Burlington. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAATE-accredited Master of Science in Athletic Training programs. Tuition varies between public in-state and private institutions; the BOC certification exam is required after graduation for practice.
AT, ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $58,603 to $59,503, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the athletic training field — employers in VT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Athletic Trainer Compensation Range
The athletic trainer wage spread in Burlington is $27,382 ( 46.72%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $58,603, experienced hygienists can earn up to $85,985.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,270
2025 BLS Actual
$56,010
2026 Current Est.
$58,603
2019–2027 Growth
+84.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,117 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,603 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,317 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, VT grew 68.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,270 in 2019 to $56,010 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $61,317. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your athletic training Career in Burlington
Employers in Burlington frequently hire entry-level athletic trainers, particularly within high schools where athletic training services are often outsourced to hospital sports medicine programs. Those seeking positions in industrial settings, such as factories and distribution centers, may find even better opportunities, as these roles typically offer higher pay—sometimes 30-50% more than traditional school-based positions. To enhance starting athletic trainer pay in VT, new graduates should focus on obtaining a Master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program, achieving the BOC national exam credential, and securing a state AT license. Specialty certifications, such as CSCS or OCS-AT, can further elevate earning potential. Entering the profession in 2026, athletic trainers can expect to see gradual growth in earnings over their first few years—aligning with the evolving educational requirements, such as the shift to a master's pathway introduced in 2022.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new athletic training graduates. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for athletic trainers (SOC 29-9091).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov