Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Boston, MA: $36.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Boston, MA runs $36.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,208 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Boston's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.3, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,128 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Boston, Massachusetts, are projected to command a median hourly rate of $36.16 in 2026, which significantly outpaces the national median of $31.45. For part-time athletic trainers working approximately three days a week, this hourly rate enables a solid income while still allowing for flexibility in other pursuits. In various environments such as high school training rooms, universities, and outpatient clinics, entry-level positions start around $25.44, with experienced professionals earning up to $54.48 as indicated by the 2026 salary range. These figures, derived from the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, illuminate the robust potential for athletic trainer hourly pay in Boston, reflecting the city's higher cost of living and demand for skilled professionals in health and sports settings.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.44 | $203.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.65 | $245.17 |
| Median (P50) | $36.16 | $289.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.00 | $351.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.48 | $435.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boston
Based on $36.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.16/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boston, MA can expect to earn approximately $75,213 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,392. With a cost-of-living index of 108.27 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,446.41 | $6,268 | $75,213 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $867.84 | $3,761 | $45,128 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $578.56 | $2,507 | $30,085 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Boston) | $36.16 |
| 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 Boston, MA earn a median of $75,208 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.97% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 6.00% above the Massachusetts state average of $70,951.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.16/hr = $45,128/year (purchasing power: $41,682).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,213/year (purchasing power: $69,471).
CoL index: 108.266 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Boston grew 22.5% from $28.21/hr (2019) to $34.56/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.83/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 Boston 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 Boston
When considering the financial aspects of being an athletic trainer in Boston, part-time workers with a three-day schedule, totaling approximately 24 hours a week, can take home around $44,934 annually. On the other hand, per diem arrangements are quite diverse; pay for event coverage can range from $200 to $500, while industrial athletic trainers often bill clients between $50 and $80 an hour. Hourly pay varies dramatically across different settings. For example, positions in secondary schools typically pay less than roles with professional sports teams or in industrial health environments, which may offer higher rates due to the demanding nature of those jobs. Athletic trainers often face a choice between higher hourly rates without benefits or lower pay that includes health insurance. Negotiating compensation in Boston, especially for hourly positions, requires awareness of the market and an understanding of each employer's offerings and demands, allowing professionals to balance their financial needs with job satisfaction.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 Boston. 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