Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Huntsville, AL: $25.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Huntsville, AL runs $25.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,937 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Huntsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,357 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Huntsville, Alabama, athletic trainers can expect an hourly median pay of $25.93, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.45. This pay rate is significant for both part-time and per-diem workers, typical in settings like high school training rooms, collegiate athletic facilities, and even professional sports teams. For athletic trainers working three days a week, the hourly rate allows for flexible schedules that can accommodate other commitments. Additionally, the hourly range for athletic trainers in the area stretches from $21.97 at entry-level positions to $35.17 for those at the top of their field, making the profession accessible for a wide range of experience levels. These figures are sourced from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.97 | $175.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.08 | $176.62 |
| Median (P50) | $25.93 | $207.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.45 | $243.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.17 | $281.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntsville
Based on $25.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.93/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntsville, AL can expect to earn approximately $53,929 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,113. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,037.09 | $4,494 | $53,929 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $622.26 | $2,696 | $32,357 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $414.84 | $1,798 | $21,572 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Huntsville) | $25.93 |
| 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 Huntsville, AL earn a median of $53,937 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.55% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.00% above the Alabama state average of $52,366.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.93/hr = $32,357/year (purchasing power: $34,766).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,929/year (purchasing power: $57,943).
CoL index: 93.072 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Huntsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Huntsville grew 19.4% from $20.75/hr (2019) to $24.78/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.13/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 Huntsville 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 Huntsville
Considering the part-time earning potential in Huntsville, a trainer working an average of 24 hours per week could take home about $30,000 annually, which starkly contrasts the financial security offered by full-time positions. Per diem athletic trainer pay in Huntsville can be particularly lucrative, with game coverage often compensated at rates between $200 and $500 per event, while industrial settings frequently offer billing rates of $50 to $80 per hour. Employers across different sectors impact the hourly pay significantly; for instance, those in professional sports tend to receive better compensation compared to high school athletic trainers. However, some athletic trainers may find themselves accepting lower rates from secondary schools in exchange for benefits like health insurance, which is often absent in higher-paying roles. Negotiating pay effectively in this market may hinge on emphasizing specialized skills or relevant experience that align with the needs of local employers, given Huntsville's unique blend of educational, industrial, and athletic contexts.
More salary data for Huntsville, AL:
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
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 Huntsville. 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