Highest Paying States for Athletic Trainers (2026): Where ATCs Earn the Most
The highest paying state for athletic trainers is California at $81,868 average median salary in 2026, based on BLS OEWS data across 51 states and 1666+ metro areas. ATC pay varies from Mississippi ($46,182) to California ($81,868) — driven by professional sports vs D1 collegiate vs high school mix, BOC ATC cert, and state license.
Best States for Athletic Trainer Salary: 2026 Rankings
Athletic trainer (ATC) pay variance is driven by setting (professional sports vs D1 collegiate vs HS / clinic vs industrial), BOC ATC cert, state licensure, COL, and state income tax. California leads at $81,868, Mississippi sits at $46,182.
Top-Tier States
- California ($65,000-$85,000) — Lakers / Dodgers / Warriors / Stanford / USC / UCLA premium.
- New York ($62,000-$80,000) — Yankees / Mets / Knicks / Rangers / Giants / Jets premium.
- Massachusetts ($60,000-$75,000) — Red Sox / Celtics / Patriots / BU / BC + Harvard.
- Texas ($55,000-$72,000) — Cowboys / Texans / Mavericks / Spurs / UT / A&M + no state income tax.
- Hawaii ($58,000-$72,000) — UH Manoa + shortage + HCOL.
- Connecticut ($55,000-$68,000) — UConn + Fairfield.
Mid-Tier Markets
- Washington ($52,000-$68,000) — Seahawks / Mariners / UW + no state income tax.
- New Jersey ($55,000-$68,000) — Devils / Giants + commuter premium.
- Pennsylvania ($55,000-$68,000) — Eagles / Steelers / Penn State + academic.
- Florida ($50,000-$65,000) — Dolphins / Heat / Magic / Lightning / Bucs / FSU / UF + no state income tax.
- Illinois ($52,000-$65,000) — Bears / Bulls / Cubs / White Sox / Northwestern / U of I.
- Michigan ($50,000-$62,000) — Lions / Pistons / Tigers / Michigan / Michigan State.
Setting Premium Markets
- Professional sports ATC (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) — premier setting $80,000-$200,000+.
- D1 NCAA collegiate ATC — premium $65,000-$110,000.
- D2 / D3 collegiate — base.
- High school ATC (NY LI / suburban premium) — pension + summer + PSLF.
- Clinic-based / outpatient ortho — premium.
- Industrial / occupational AT — emerging premium.
- Performing arts (Cirque du Soleil, ballet) — premium niche.
- Military / federal AT — pension + PSLF.
2026 State Ranking Methodology
Rankings reflect 2026 projected median from BLS OEWS 2025. Setting (pro sports / D1 / HS) materially shifts ceiling.
2019 BLS
$48,440
2025 BLS
$62,520
2026 Current Est.
$65,415
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
National Average for Context
2019–2025: BLS OEWS actual data. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Median Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,415 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,443 | Projected |
Understanding the national salary trend helps contextualize state-level differences. The national median provides a baseline for comparing how each state's athletic trainer pay stacks up.
Note: BLS actual data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. Estimated and projected values are calculated using a 4.63% historical CAGR. Actual compensation may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 10 Highest Paying States for Athletic Trainers
What Drives State-Level Athletic Trainer Pay Differences
Five primary factors explain ATC state-level pay variance.
1. Setting Mix: Pro / D1 / HS / Clinic (30-40%)
- Professional sports ATC — premier setting.
- D1 NCAA collegiate ATC — premium.
- D2 / D3 collegiate — base.
- High school ATC — pension + summer + PSLF.
- Clinic-based / outpatient ortho — premium.
- Industrial / occupational AT — emerging.
- Performing arts (Cirque, ballet) — premium niche.
- Military / federal AT — pension + PSLF.
2. Cost of Living (20-30%)
- HCOL markets command premium.
- RPP from BEA — CA 113, MS 86.
- COL-adjusted real income — Texas / Tennessee net often beat California.
3. State Income Tax (5-10% take-home)
- No state income tax — AK, WA, TX, FL, TN, NV, SD, WY, NH.
- High state income tax — CA, NY, OR, NJ, MN, HI.
- NYC + Philadelphia local — additional.
- Property + sales tax — TX, NJ tradeoff.
4. BOC ATC + State License (10-15%)
- BOC ATC certification — universal entry.
- CAATE-accredited MS-AT program — required (post-2022 baccalaureate phased out).
- State AT license — most states require.
- State endorsement — 4-12 weeks.
- BLS / CPR cert — required.
- Specialty (manual therapy, dry needling) — premium.
5. NATA Membership + Specialty (5-10%)
- NATA membership — professional network.
- Specialty cert (manual therapy, dry needling, SOMI) — premium.
- Strength & conditioning specialist (CSCS) — premium combo.
- Performance / functional movement (FMS) — premium.
- Sports nutrition (CISSN) — premium niche.
Where Do Athletic Trainers Get Paid the Most?
Complete ranking of all 51 states by average athletic trainer salary. Click any state to see city-level breakdowns and detailed data.
| Rank | State | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $81,868 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $79,414 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $78,881 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $75,401 |
| 5 | New York | $73,762 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $72,117 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $71,713 |
| 8 | Washington | $69,762 |
| 9 | Texas | $69,276 |
| 10 | Maryland | $68,188 |
| 11 | Colorado | $67,639 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $66,538 |
| 13 | New Mexico | $66,517 |
| 14 | Maine | $66,102 |
| 15 | Vermont | $65,938 |
| 16 | Illinois | $65,646 |
| 17 | Virginia | $65,639 |
| 18 | Georgia | $65,511 |
| 19 | Indiana | $65,487 |
| 20 | Utah | $65,316 |
| 21 | Oregon | $65,196 |
| 22 | Louisiana | $64,901 |
| 23 | Arizona | $64,657 |
| 24 | New Hampshire | $64,531 |
| 25 | Rhode Island | $64,343 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $64,047 |
| 27 | Ohio | $64,003 |
| 28 | Florida | $63,700 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $63,604 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $63,147 |
| 31 | Missouri | $62,872 |
| 32 | Idaho | $62,736 |
| 33 | Nevada | $62,558 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $62,392 |
| 35 | Michigan | $61,994 |
| 36 | Alaska | $61,736 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $61,691 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $61,669 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $61,600 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $61,486 |
| 41 | Kansas | $60,247 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $59,845 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $59,795 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $59,447 |
| 45 | Delaware | $59,231 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $58,974 |
| 47 | Iowa | $55,831 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $51,476 |
| 49 | Montana | $51,194 |
| 50 | Alabama | $50,611 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $46,182 |
Lowest Paying States for Athletic Trainers
Even the lowest-paying states offer athletic trainer salaries well above the national average for all occupations. Here are the 5 lowest-paying states:
Top Earner Potential by State
The 90th percentile represents what experienced, highly-skilled athletic trainers earn in each state. These are the 10 states with the highest earning ceilings:
| # | State | Top Earner (P90) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $117,293 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $114,947 |
| 3 | Georgia | $114,394 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $107,671 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $107,140 |
| 6 | New York | $106,866 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $104,510 |
| 8 | Nevada | $101,387 |
| 9 | Texas | $101,386 |
| 10 | Colorado | $99,374 |
How to Move to a Higher-Paying State for Athletic Trainer Work
Relocating for ATC pay requires balancing nominal salary against setting (pro sports vs D1 vs HS), state tax, COL, and BOC + state license.
1. Verify BOC ATC + State License
- BOC ATC cert — universal.
- CAATE-accredited MS-AT program — required.
- State AT license — most states.
- State endorsement — 4-12 weeks.
- BLS / CPR / AED cert — required.
- Specialty cert (manual therapy, dry needling, FMS, CSCS) — premium.
- Background check + fingerprint — typical school-based.
2. Calculate Real Take-Home, Not Nominal
- COL-adjusted income — Texas ATC at $60,000 may exceed California ATC at $72,000 net.
- State + local income tax — effective rate.
- Property + sales tax — TX tradeoff.
- Childcare cost spread — major.
- Health + benefits — pro / D1 / clinic vs HS / school.
- 401(k) match + pension — school pension premier.
- Summer for school-based — childcare savings.
3. Target Pro Sports / D1 / Performing Arts
- Professional sports ATC (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS) — premier $80,000-$200,000+.
- D1 NCAA collegiate (Power 5 conferences) — premium.
- Performing arts (Cirque du Soleil, ballet, Broadway) — premium niche.
- Clinic-based outpatient ortho — premium specialty.
- Industrial / occupational AT — emerging premium.
- Military / federal AT — pension + PSLF.
- High school (NY LI / suburban) — pension + PSLF.
- Olympic training center / national team — premium niche.
4. Negotiate Sign-On + Per-Diem
- Sign-on bonus ($3,000-$15,000) — common at pro / D1.
- Relocation assistance ($3,000-$15,000) — standard at pro / D1.
- Per-diem on travel (pro / D1) — premium.
- PSLF stack (school + government) — 10-year forgiveness.
- Tuition reimbursement (post-grad cert, doctorate) — premium.
- Performance bonus (pro sports) — premium.
- CEU stipend — required.
- Federal employer pension + PSLF — long-term.
5. Choose Setting Based on Career Plan
- Professional sports ATC (premier setting) — top pay.
- D1 NCAA collegiate (Power 5) — premium.
- Performing arts (Cirque, ballet) — premium niche.
- Clinic-based outpatient ortho — premium specialty.
- Industrial / occupational AT — emerging premium.
- Military / federal AT — pension + PSLF.
- High school (NY LI / suburban) — pension + PSLF.
- Hybrid clinic + outreach — flexible.
- AT-to-PT-DPT bridge — premier career advancement.
- Strength & conditioning specialty (CSCS combo) — premium combo.
Additional Geographic + Lifestyle Considerations
- Climate fit + lifestyle preference — extreme heat (TX, FL, AZ) vs winter (MN, ME, AK) — major lifestyle differential beyond paycheck.
- School district quality (for families with children) — major hidden cost. Top suburban districts in NJ / NY / MA / CA add significant value.
- Healthcare access + cost-of-living index — verify metro-specific data on BLS / BEA.
- Spousal employment market — coordinate timing with partner career.
- Aging parent proximity — major life consideration.
- Network + alumni density (professional + social) — major.
- Recreation + outdoor access — varies dramatically by state.
- State + local political climate fit — major lifestyle differential.
More Salary Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest paying state for athletic trainers?
What is the best state to be a athletic trainer?
Which state has the most athletic trainer jobs?
Do athletic trainers make six figures?
What is the lowest paying state for athletic trainers?
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
State salary rankings on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each state's average salary. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Individual pay varies by city, 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