Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Brighton, CO: $31.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Brighton, CO runs $31.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,471 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Brighton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,278 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brighton, Colorado, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $31.47, which is slightly above the national median of $31.45. This pay scale reflects the various settings where athletic trainers typically operate, such as high schools, college athletic facilities, professional team training rooms, and outpatient clinics. For those working part-time—say, three days a week—this hourly wage can support a sustainable lifestyle, even as entry-level positions start around $25.52 and experienced professionals can make up to $44.22 per hour. The hourly rates are derived from projected annual salary estimates; thus, they provide a snapshot of the earnings potential that athletic trainers can anticipate as they navigate their careers in this evolving field.
About the Brighton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.52 | $204.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.32 | $226.59 |
| Median (P50) | $31.47 | $251.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.68 | $301.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.22 | $353.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brighton
Based on $31.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.47/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brighton, CO can expect to earn approximately $65,463 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,767. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brighton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brighton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,258.91 | $5,455 | $65,463 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $755.34 | $3,273 | $39,278 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.56 | $2,182 | $26,185 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Brighton) | $31.47 |
| 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 Brighton, CO earn a median of $65,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.09% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 4.70% below the Colorado state average of $68,700.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.47/hr = $39,278/year (purchasing power: $37,408).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,463/year (purchasing power: $62,346).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Brighton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Brighton grew 29.1% from $23.31/hr (2019) to $30.08/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.93/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 Brighton 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 Brighton
Considering part-time positions, an athletic trainer working a 24-hour week could expect to take home approximately $39,049 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart earning a salary of $65,471. Per diem athletic trainers in Brighton often find themselves with unique earning opportunities, such as covering events for $200 to $500 per game. Meanwhile, industrial settings provide a lucrative contrast, with agency ATs billing $50 to $80 per hour at facilities like Toyota and Boeing. As hourly wages can vary significantly across employer types—high schools, colleges, military, and industrial clinics—many trainers grapple with the choice between higher hourly pay without benefits or more secure jobs with health coverage. To optimize earning potential, it’s advisable for athletic trainers to negotiate clearly defined roles and compensation, especially given the fluctuating demand across diverse sectors in Brighton.
More salary data for Brighton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Brighton in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Brighton?
Are athletic trainers in Brighton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Brighton?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in Brighton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 Brighton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brighton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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