Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Baton Rouge, LA: $32.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Baton Rouge, LA runs $32.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,702 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Baton Rouge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,022 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana benefit from a competitive median hourly rate of $32.07, surpassing the national hourly median of $31.45. This figure reflects the potential for attractive earnings within diverse employment settings, such as high school training rooms, collegiate athletic facilities, and professional sports team training environments, as well as industrial clinics and military bases. The hourly pay scale for athletic trainers here ranges from $25.55 at the entry-level to $41.22 for top earners. Such data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlights the financial prospects for those considering or currently pursuing a career in athletic training across various sectors.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.55 | $204.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.84 | $246.76 |
| Median (P50) | $32.07 | $256.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.28 | $290.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.22 | $329.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baton Rouge
Based on $32.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.07/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baton Rouge, LA can expect to earn approximately $66,704 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,483. With a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baton Rouge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baton Rouge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,282.76 | $5,559 | $66,704 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $769.66 | $3,335 | $40,022 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $513.11 | $2,223 | $26,681 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Baton Rouge) | $32.07 |
| 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 Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $66,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.97% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 2.00% above the Louisiana state average of $65,394.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.07/hr = $40,022/year (purchasing power: $44,087).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,704/year (purchasing power: $73,478).
CoL index: 90.78 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Baton Rouge grew 29.8% from $23.61/hr (2019) to $30.65/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.55/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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge
Understanding the earning potential in Baton Rouge is vital for athletic trainers, particularly those looking at part-time or per diem roles. A trainer working three days a week could expect to take home around $25,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time position, but still a viable option for those who value flexibility. For per diem athletic trainer pay in Baton Rouge, event coverage can yield between $200 and $500 per game, while industrial athletic trainers often charge $50-$80 hourly at larger corporate facilities. College events, such as bowl games, present opportunities for sizable stipends, ranging from $200 to $1,000. Earnings can greatly vary by employer type—high school positions may offer lower hourly rates than those in industrial settings, which pay 30-50% more. Athletic trainers must weigh the benefits of stable employment, which might include health insurance, against higher hourly rates that lack additional benefits. When negotiating pay in Baton Rouge, it’s advisable to research the going rates across different facilities to secure competitive compensation based on the unique demands of the athletic training field.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
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 Baton Rouge. 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