Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in New Orleans, LA: $30.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in New Orleans, LA runs $30.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,134 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against New Orleans's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,881 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in New Orleans, Louisiana, can expect a median hourly pay of $30.35 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $31.45. This hourly rate provides a competitive compensation for part-time positions, often held in various settings such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional sports team training areas. Part-time trainers working three days a week, for instance, can benefit from this pay structure while balancing their professional and personal responsibilities. The hourly wage varies significantly in New Orleans, with entry-level positions earning around $25.28 (P10), and experienced trainers in high-demand settings potentially reaching $41.98 (P90). This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, ensuring an accurate reflection of current compensation trends in the area.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.28 | $202.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.96 | $239.64 |
| Median (P50) | $30.35 | $242.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.71 | $309.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.98 | $335.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Orleans
Based on $30.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.35/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Orleans, LA can expect to earn approximately $63,135 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,424. With a cost-of-living index of 92.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Orleans.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Orleans
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,214.13 | $5,261 | $63,135 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $728.48 | $3,157 | $37,881 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $485.65 | $2,104 | $25,254 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (New Orleans) | $30.35 |
| 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 New Orleans, LA earn a median of $63,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.50% below the Louisiana state average of $65,424.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.35/hr = $37,881/year (purchasing power: $40,909).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,135/year (purchasing power: $68,182).
CoL index: 92.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in New Orleans grew 36.6% from $21.24/hr (2019) to $29.01/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.76/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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans
In New Orleans, part-time athletic trainers working an average of 24 hours per week stand to earn approximately $37,785 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. The dynamic of per-diem work can be lucrative as well, with game coverage typically paying between $200 to $500 per event, and industrial settings offering rates between $50 to $80 an hour for contract athletic trainers. Coverage for special events like NCAA bowl games often comes with stipends ranging from $200 to $1,000, enhancing their total compensation in short bursts of high-demand work. Agricultural and educational institutions generally provide lower hourly pay compared to factories or professional sports teams, prompting some athletic trainers to accept lower wages in exchange for health benefits. Negotiation remains critical in this market; trainers should emphasize their additional certifications or specialized skills when discussing salary with potential employers, particularly in the competitive environment of New Orleans.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in New Orleans in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in New Orleans?
Are athletic trainers in New Orleans paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in New Orleans?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in New Orleans?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 New Orleans. 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