Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Gainesville, FL: $31.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Gainesville, FL runs $31.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,943 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Gainesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,965 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Gainesville, Florida, earn a median hourly rate of $31.22, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $31.45. This rate offers a solid foundation for part-time professionals and those working on a per-diem basis, allowing them to find opportunities across varied settings such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and outpatient clinics. Entry-level salaries can start around $23.09 per hour, while experienced practitioners may earn as much as $43.67, reflecting the demand for qualified athletic trainers in the area. These hourly rates, which are based on estimates derived from annual salary data, illustrate the financial landscape for athletic trainers amidst the ongoing transition in the industry, especially following the 2022 master's degree requirement.
About the Gainesville Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.09 | $184.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.65 | $213.19 |
| Median (P50) | $31.22 | $249.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.87 | $294.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.67 | $349.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gainesville
Based on $31.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.22/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gainesville, FL can expect to earn approximately $64,941 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,466. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Gainesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gainesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,248.86 | $5,412 | $64,941 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $749.32 | $3,247 | $38,965 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.55 | $2,165 | $25,976 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Gainesville) | $31.22 |
| 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 Gainesville, FL earn a median of $64,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.72% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.30% above the Florida state average of $63,483.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.22/hr = $38,965/year (purchasing power: $38,655).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,941/year (purchasing power: $64,426).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Gainesville grew 23.8% from $24.11/hr (2019) to $29.84/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.67/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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville
For part-time athletic trainers working three days a week, a typical schedule translating to 24 hours results in substantial annual earnings, albeit significantly less than full-time colleagues. While full-time roles enhance stability and benefits, per diem athletic trainer pay in Gainesville can be lucrative, with event coverage ranging from $200 to $500 per game and industrial positions billing up to $80 per hour. College and professional sports teams often provide unique stipends, especially during bowl games or playoff events, ranging from $200 to $1,000. Navigating employment types reveals a wide spectrum: secondary schools generally pay less compared to industrial health roles, which often offer 30-50% more due to the nature of work environments. Athletic trainers must weigh the value of higher pay against benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. Practical negotiation strategies emphasize understanding employer demographics and communicating skill sets effectively to maximize hourly compensation in this competitive market.
More salary data for Gainesville, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Gainesville in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Gainesville?
Are athletic trainers in Gainesville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Gainesville?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in Gainesville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 Gainesville. 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 Gainesville 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