Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Tucson, AZ: $30.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Tucson, AZ runs $30.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,960 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Tucson's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.9, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,377 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tucson, Arizona, athletic trainers can expect a median hourly pay of $30.75 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $31.45. This figure is indicative of a profession that spans various settings, including high schools, college athletic facilities, professional teams, military bases, and outpatient clinics. For part-time and per-diem workers, typically working three days a week, the hourly rate means a practical take-home pay that varies considerably. Entry-level positions start around $23.29 per hour, while those in higher-level roles can earn up to $38.85 per hour, providing a wide spectrum of earning potential based on experience and location. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, underlining the economic landscape of athletic training in Tucson.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.29 | $186.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.29 | $186.33 |
| Median (P50) | $30.75 | $246.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.94 | $255.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.85 | $310.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tucson
Based on $30.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.75/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tucson, AZ can expect to earn approximately $63,962 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,901. With a cost-of-living index of 96.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tucson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tucson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,230.03 | $5,330 | $63,962 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.02 | $3,198 | $38,377 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.01 | $2,132 | $25,585 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Tucson) | $30.75 |
| 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 Tucson, AZ earn a median of $63,960 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.22% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.70% below the Arizona state average of $64,411.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.75/hr = $38,377/year (purchasing power: $39,606).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,962/year (purchasing power: $66,011).
CoL index: 96.896 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Tucson grew 20.1% from $24.47/hr (2019) to $29.39/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.17/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 Tucson 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 Tucson
Athletic trainers choosing to work part-time in Tucson can greatly benefit from understanding their potential earnings based on a three-day work week. At 24 hours per week, a part-time trainer could take home approximately $38,160 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart. For those opting for per diem work, game coverage can yield between $200-$500 per event, significantly increasing overall earnings in high-pressure scenarios like college bowl games or playoff events, where stipends run from $200-$1,000. Moreover, the hourly rates in Tucson vary significantly depending on the employment setting; trainers in industrial health roles may receive 30-50% higher compensation than their counterparts in school settings. Many athletic trainers face a trade-off between lower hourly rates with benefits, such as health insurance, versus higher pay without benefits. For those negotiating their pay, being informed about local market rates and demonstrating their value within diverse settings can lead to more favorable outcomes.
More salary data for Tucson, 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 Tucson. 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