Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Bethesda, MD: $33.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Bethesda, MD runs $33.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,059 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Bethesda's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,432 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethesda, Maryland, the athletic trainer hourly pay stands at a median of $33.20, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $31.45. For part-time athletic trainers working three days a week, this translates into a solid earning potential, particularly when factoring in roles within high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and other settings like industrial clinics and military bases. The hourly pay ranges from $25.60 at the lower end (P10) to $47.62 at the upper end (P90), allowing entry-level professionals to gain valuable experience while still earning a respectable wage. These estimates are derived from annual salary projections for 2026, reflecting how the higher cost of living in the Bethesda area influences compensation for positions in athletic training.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.60 | $204.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.14 | $233.12 |
| Median (P50) | $33.20 | $265.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.06 | $320.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.62 | $380.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethesda
Based on $33.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.20/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethesda, MD can expect to earn approximately $69,054 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,839. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bethesda.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethesda
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,327.96 | $5,755 | $69,054 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $796.78 | $3,453 | $41,432 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $531.19 | $2,302 | $27,622 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Bethesda) | $33.20 |
| 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 Bethesda, MD earn a median of $69,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $71,490.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.20/hr = $41,432/year (purchasing power: $37,907).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,054/year (purchasing power: $63,179).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Bethesda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Bethesda grew 29.1% from $24.58/hr (2019) to $31.73/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.74/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 Bethesda 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 Bethesda
Considering the 2026 compensation dynamics, part-time athletic trainers can realistically earn around $41,856 annually by working 24 hours a week, a figure that contrasts sharply with full-time counterparts who earn significantly more. Per diem athletic trainer pay in Bethesda varies widely; event coverage typically yields between $200 and $500 per event, while industrial contractors might see billing rates of $50 to $80 per hour. Different types of employers offer divergent compensation: high schools tend to provide lower pay compared to NCAA colleges or professional teams, which can afford higher rates. Many athletic trainers navigate a trade-off between accepting lower hourly wages for stable benefits like health insurance or pursuing higher hourly rates without benefits. Negotiating pay in Bethesda can hinge on understanding the market rates and emphasizing qualifications, especially given the shift to a master's degree standard as of 2022.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
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 Bethesda. 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 Bethesda 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