Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Phoenix, AZ: $31.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Phoenix, AZ runs $31.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,567 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Phoenix's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,743 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Phoenix, AZ, earn a median hourly rate of $31.04, slightly below the national median of $31.45. This hourly wage reflects the diverse responsibilities involved in various athletic training settings, including high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional team training environments. For part-time and per-diem workers, such as those employed three days a week, this rate allows for a solid income, particularly as they often work in high-pressure environments where rapid responses to injuries are required. The hourly range for athletic trainers in Phoenix spans from $24.64 for entry-level positions to as high as $52.33 for seasoned professionals, providing a pathway for career advancement and specialization within the field.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.64 | $197.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.95 | $207.59 |
| Median (P50) | $31.04 | $248.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.19 | $313.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.33 | $418.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Phoenix
Based on $31.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.04/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Phoenix, AZ can expect to earn approximately $64,571 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,252. With a cost-of-living index of 103.32 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Phoenix.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Phoenix
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,241.75 | $5,381 | $64,571 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $745.05 | $3,229 | $38,743 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.70 | $2,152 | $25,828 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Phoenix) | $31.04 |
| 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 Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $64,567 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.30% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.20% above the Arizona state average of $64,438.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.04/hr = $38,743/year (purchasing power: $37,499).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,571/year (purchasing power: $62,498).
CoL index: 103.316 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+65.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Phoenix (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Phoenix grew 51.5% from $19.58/hr (2019) to $29.67/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.48/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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix
When examining part-time earning potential, an athletic trainer working 24 hours a week would bring home a significantly different income than a full-time counterpart. Part-time trainers could expect annual earnings below that of their full-time peers, realistically taking home around $38,000 at their median hourly rate. Per diem athletic trainers, often engaged in event coverage or agency roles, have varied earnings—coverage for a single event might bring in $200-$500, while industrial athletic trainers can command between $50 and $80 per hour in corporate settings. The pay scales also differ greatly by employment type; professionals in high schools or colleges often earn less than those working with professional sports teams or in industrial environments like Toyota or FedEx. Many trainers accept lower hourly rates to gain benefits such as health insurance, especially significant given the shift in educational requirements following the 2022 MAT transition. With the right negotiation strategies, athletic trainers in Phoenix can optimize their compensation based on location, employer, and the specific demands of their roles.
More salary data for Phoenix, AZ:
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 Phoenix. 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