Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Birmingham, AL: $23.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Birmingham, AL runs $23.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,423 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Birmingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,054 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Birmingham, AL, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $23.28, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly pay of $31.45. This difference highlights the challenges local athletic trainers face, especially when considering part-time roles or per-diem work in various settings, including high schools, colleges, professional teams, and clinics. In Birmingham, the hourly pay ranges from $20.49 for entry-level positions to about $32.10 for experienced trainers. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections for 2026, provides a snapshot of financial expectations for those entering the field.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.49 | $163.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.61 | $164.90 |
| Median (P50) | $23.28 | $186.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.28 | $242.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.10 | $256.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Birmingham
Based on $23.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.28/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Birmingham, AL can expect to earn approximately $48,423 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,936. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Birmingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Birmingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $931.21 | $4,035 | $48,423 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $558.72 | $2,421 | $29,054 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $372.48 | $1,614 | $19,369 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Birmingham) | $23.28 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Athletic Trainers in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $48,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.98% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.60% below the Alabama state average of $52,406.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.28/hr = $29,054/year (purchasing power: $31,703).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,423/year (purchasing power: $52,838).
CoL index: 91.644 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Birmingham grew 20.7% from $18.43/hr (2019) to $22.25/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.36/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem athletic trainers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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.
Working as an Hourly Athletic Trainer in Birmingham
When looking at part-time positions, an athletic trainer working three days a week can expect to take home around $18,000 annually, a stark contrast to full-time incomes. The per-diem athletic trainer pay in Birmingham can be lucrative, with coverage for sporting events typically ranging from $200 to $500 per event, while industrial settings often offer $50-$80 per hour. Moreover, hourly rates vary significantly depending on the employer type; athletic trainers in educational institutions usually earn less than those in the industrial healthcare sector, where roles may pay 30-50% more. While some trainers may accept a lower hourly rate for the benefit of health insurance, negotiating for better pay is crucial, especially given Birmingham's lower cost of living. Understanding the variances across different employer types and leveraging one's education can improve earning potential in both clinical and non-traditional athletic training roles.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Birmingham in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Birmingham?
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How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Birmingham?
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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
Hourly wage figures 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for athletic trainers in Birmingham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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