Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Waterbury, CT: $36.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Waterbury, CT runs $36.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,171 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Waterbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.8, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,702 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterbury, Connecticut, athletic trainers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $36.62 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $31.45. This favorable rate represents not only the growing demand for health professionals in sports and industrial settings but also opens opportunities for both part-time and per-diem work. Athletic trainers typically operate in various environments, such as high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and medical clinics, with the hourly pay ranging from $26.81 for entry-level positions to $62.78 for top earners. BLS data shows that the diverse settings in which these trainers work can influence their compensation, making Waterbury a promising location for those pursuing a career in athletic training.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.81 | $214.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.93 | $247.43 |
| Median (P50) | $36.62 | $292.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.51 | $444.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.78 | $502.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterbury
Based on $36.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.62/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterbury, CT can expect to earn approximately $76,171 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,945. With a cost-of-living index of 99.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,464.82 | $6,348 | $76,171 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $878.89 | $3,809 | $45,702 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $585.93 | $2,539 | $30,468 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Waterbury) | $36.62 |
| 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 Waterbury, CT earn a median of $76,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.44% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 7.90% above the Connecticut state average of $70,594.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.62/hr = $45,702/year (purchasing power: $45,804).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,171/year (purchasing power: $76,340).
CoL index: 99.778 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Waterbury grew 29.1% from $27.12/hr (2019) to $35.00/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.32/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 Waterbury 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 Waterbury
For athletic trainers working part-time, such as three days a week, the financial outlook can differ significantly from full-time roles. A part-time athletic trainer working 24 hours a week at the median hourly pay could take home roughly $45,900 annually, which can provide a solid income for those balancing other responsibilities. Per-diem athletic trainers often experience varied financial outcomes; game coverage typically pays between $200 and $500 per event, while industrial athletic training can yield rates of $50 to $80 per hour, particularly in settings such as factories or health clinics. These positions may not always provide benefits, hence the consideration for lower hourly rates in exchange for stable health insurance. During negotiations for hourly pay in Waterbury, it’s advisable for trainers to emphasize their specialization and the growing demand in both traditional sports and industrial applications, ensuring they secure compensation that reflects their expertise and the local market conditions.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
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 Waterbury. 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, 3-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