Athletic Trainer Salary by Setting

Athletic trainer pay varies dramatically by setting. The same BOC-certified AT working at a high school can earn $48,000; the same AT at a Division I college earns $65,000; at a major industrial company $75,000; at a professional sports team $95,000+. This guide walks through what each major AT practice setting pays.

Headline data from BLS OEWS: median annual wage near $55,000, mean $58,000, top decile $80,000+. Professional sports settings often exceed BLS top decile. For state-level data, see our Highest-Paying States page.

High School Athletic Training

The largest single employer category for ATs nationally. High school positions are typically through school district employment or contracted through clinical providers. Pay typically:

• Year 1 high school AT: $42,000-$55,000
• Year 5: $48,000-$62,000
• Senior AT (10+ years): $55,000-$72,000
• AT department head (multi-school district): $65,000-$85,000

High school AT positions typically include 9-month or 10-month employment with summer off (some include summer camp coverage). The schedule includes substantial after-school and weekend coverage during sports seasons. Total annual hours typically 1,800-2,200 due to event coverage.

College Athletic Training

College positions include Division I, II, and III settings. Pay varies by division and institution:

• Division III college AT: $42,000-$58,000
• Division II college AT: $45,000-$65,000
• Division I college AT (assistant): $48,000-$72,000
• Division I head AT: $65,000-$120,000+
• Division I head AT for major program (football, basketball at SEC/Big10/ACC): $90,000-$180,000+

Division I major programs at large state universities and private athletic powerhouses pay substantially more than Division III institutions. Head ATs at major football programs (Alabama, Ohio State, Texas, Notre Dame, etc.) earn $150,000-$220,000+.

Professional Sports

Professional sports team AT positions are extremely competitive — often hundreds of applicants for each opening. Pay tiers:

• Minor league baseball AT: $45,000-$60,000 (low for the prestige; many use as stepping stone)
• MLS AT: $50,000-$75,000
• WNBA AT: $50,000-$75,000
• NHL AT (assistant): $60,000-$90,000
• NHL head AT: $90,000-$150,000+
• NBA AT (assistant): $65,000-$100,000
• NBA head AT: $110,000-$200,000+
• NFL AT (assistant): $70,000-$120,000
• NFL head AT: $130,000-$250,000+
• MLB AT (assistant): $65,000-$110,000
• MLB head AT: $120,000-$220,000+

Pro sports AT careers typically progress through college head AT or pro assistant AT positions before reaching pro head AT level. Most pro head ATs have 10-15 years of experience plus established networks within the sport.

Sports Medicine Clinic and Hospital

Clinical AT positions in sports medicine clinics and hospital outpatient rehab. Pay typically:

• Year 1 clinical AT: $48,000-$62,000
• Year 5 clinical AT: $55,000-$72,000
• Senior clinical AT: $68,000-$88,000
• Lead clinical AT / clinic supervisor: $78,000-$98,000

Clinical AT work involves treating non-athletic patients alongside athletic populations. The scope is narrower than PT but includes substantial post-injury rehab work, modalities, taping, and educational programs. Schedule is typically Monday-Friday with predictable hours.

Industrial / Occupational AT

Industrial athletic training programs at major employers (manufacturing, warehousing, construction, military bases) prevent and treat work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Pay typically:

• Year 1 industrial AT: $55,000-$70,000
• Year 5: $65,000-$82,000
• Senior industrial AT: $75,000-$95,000
• Industrial AT program manager: $85,000-$115,000+

Industrial AT pay is meaningfully higher than school-based pay due to industrial employer budgets and the workers' comp cost reduction value that AT programs provide. The demand for industrial AT has grown substantially over the past decade as employers recognize the ROI of injury prevention.

Military Performance Programs

Military performance and rehabilitation programs employ civilian ATs through Department of Defense contracts. Pay typically:

• Civilian military AT: $65,000-$95,000+
• Senior military performance AT: $85,000-$120,000+

Military programs typically pay through GS pay scale (typically GS-9 to GS-12) plus locality. Federal benefits including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave add substantial value beyond base salary.

Total Compensation Considerations

When comparing offers, calculate total compensation including benefits. School and college positions typically include strong benefits packages: medical/dental/vision insurance, retirement match (often state pension system for public schools), generous paid leave, and education stipends. Total benefits value typically 25-35% of base salary.

Pro sports positions vary in benefits. Major league teams (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) typically include strong benefits plus team-specific perks (travel, ticket access, team gear). Minor league and lower-tier pro positions often have weaker benefits despite the prestigious team affiliation.

What Drives Top Earners

The ATs reaching $150,000-$250,000+ income share several patterns. They work in major Division I head AT positions, NFL or MLB head AT positions, established industrial AT program management, or specialty clinical practice with cash-pay programs. They typically have 12-20 years of experience plus substantial professional network in their setting. Most top earners are Division I or pro sports head ATs who advanced through assistant positions over a decade-long career.

For path itself, see How to Become an Athletic Trainer. For BOC certification, see BOC Certification Guide. For comparison careers, see AT vs PT vs Personal Trainer.

High School Setting Detail

High school AT: typical $42,000-$58,000 base. Often combined with teaching role for full-time employment. Schedule includes evening sports events and weekend tournaments. Strong work-life balance during school year. Summer break valuable.

Many high school ATs work part-time outreach AT through hospital/clinic contracts ($30,000-$50,000) plus part-time teaching ($25,000-$45,000) for combined $55,000-$95,000 annual income. Hybrid model increasingly common.

College Setting Detail

NCAA Division I AT: $50,000-$95,000+ base. Senior ATs at major Power 5 programs $80,000-$140,000+. Long hours during sports seasons (60-80+ weekly). Travel with teams. Strong tenure pathway.

Division II/III AT: $45,000-$70,000+. Smaller staffs, more sport coverage per AT. Less travel than D-I but still significant.

Junior college / NAIA: $40,000-$55,000+. Often combined with teaching responsibilities.

Professional Sports Detail

NFL head AT: $90,000-$160,000+ with team athletic trainer benefits. Assistant ATs $65,000-$100,000+. Offseason work continues but less intense schedule.

NBA AT: similar pay range to NFL. Travel intense (82-game season plus playoffs).

MLB AT: $80,000-$140,000+ for major league trainers. Long season with 162 games plus spring training.

NHL AT: $75,000-$130,000+. Long season with travel.

Minor league professional sports: $40,000-$70,000 typical. Lower pay but stepping stone to major league level.

Clinic and Hospital Setting Detail

Hospital orthopedic/sports medicine clinic: $55,000-$80,000 typical. Day-shift M-F predictable schedule. Strong benefits including pension at academic medical centers.

Outpatient orthopedic clinic: $50,000-$72,000+. Often combined with hospital outreach AT for high schools.

Industrial/occupational AT: $55,000-$78,000+. Workplace injury prevention focus. Predictable day-shift schedule.

Geographic Pay Variation

Per BLS OEWS data, top-paying states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Washington. Top metros: Boston, NYC area, Washington DC, Hartford CT, San Francisco Bay Area.

Lowest-paying states: Mississippi, Arkansas, West Virginia, Alabama. Cost-of-living adjustment significant.

Career Stages Pay Trajectory

Year 1-2 entry AT: $42,000-$54,000 (high school or clinic). Year 3-5 experienced AT: $50,000-$68,000+. Year 5-7 senior or specialty: $58,000-$80,000+. Year 7-12 head AT or specialty premium: $65,000-$110,000+. Year 12+ professional sports or athletic director track: $80,000-$160,000+.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which AT setting pays the most? Professional sports leagues lead. Major college Power 5 programs second. Hospital orthopedic third.

Best work-life balance? Hospital/clinic outpatient day-shift M-F. High school combined with teaching offers summer break.

Best for sports career? Professional sports highest pay but limited positions (highly competitive). College ATs broader job market with strong sports culture.

Travel AT positions? Limited but exist. Some travel AT positions in clinic outreach to events. Travel less common than other healthcare professions.

Industrial AT growing? Yes — growing market. Companies hiring ATs for workplace injury prevention. Pay competitive with predictable schedule.

Where can I verify these salary figures? See U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Athletic Trainers for current state, metro, and industry pay statistics.