Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Waterford, MI: $28.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Waterford, MI runs $28.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,496 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Waterford's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,700 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waterford, Michigan, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $28.61, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.45. This difference may influence the earning potential for part-time athletic trainers working three days a week, as well as those accepting per-diem positions in various settings such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional sports teams. With the hourly range spanning from $22.64 for entry-level positions to $40.55 for top earners, compensation can vary significantly based on experience and work environment. This hourly data, derived from annual salary estimates, reflects the diverse opportunities available to those in the profession across Waterford.
About the Waterford Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.64 | $181.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.46 | $203.65 |
| Median (P50) | $28.61 | $228.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.23 | $273.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.55 | $324.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterford
Based on $28.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.61/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterford, MI can expect to earn approximately $59,500 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,327. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,144.23 | $4,958 | $59,500 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $686.54 | $2,975 | $35,700 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.69 | $1,983 | $23,800 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Waterford) | $28.61 |
| 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 Waterford, MI earn a median of $59,496 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.05% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $60,959.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.61/hr = $35,700/year (purchasing power: $38,305).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,500/year (purchasing power: $63,841).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Waterford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Waterford grew 29.1% from $21.18/hr (2019) to $27.34/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.93/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 Waterford 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 Waterford
Considering part-time opportunities, an athletic trainer working 24 hours a week could expect to make around $41,385 annually, a commendable sum compared to full-time salaries. For per-diem athletic trainers, pay for event coverage can be lucrative, ranging from $200 to $500 per event, while industrial contract positions may pay anywhere from $50 to $80 per hour. In Waterford, athletic trainers have different experiences based on whether they work in secondary education, collegiate sports, professional leagues, or healthcare settings. Some may choose positions with lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, whereas others prioritize higher hourly pay without these perks. When negotiating pay, athletic trainers should account for the unique demands of each sector and be prepared to discuss compensation that reflects their qualifications, especially given the master's degree requirement introduced post-2022.
More salary data for Waterford, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Waterford in 2026?
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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 Waterford. 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 Waterford 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