Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Trenton, NJ: $39.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Trenton, NJ runs $39.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,564 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Trenton's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,541 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Trenton, NJ, athletic trainers earn a median hourly pay of $39.70, significantly above the national hourly median of $31.45. This favorable compensation allows those working part-time, such as three days a week, to earn a solid income while balancing other commitments. For per-diem athletic trainers, opportunities abound in various settings including high school athletic training rooms, college facilities, professional team environments, industrial workplace clinics, military bases, and outpatient clinics. The hourly pay ranges from $26.90 for entry-level positions to $57.88 for the top earners in the field, highlighting the potential for financial growth as experience and specialization increase. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a reliable basis for understanding the hourly compensation landscape for athletic trainers in Trenton.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.90 | $215.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.95 | $271.62 |
| Median (P50) | $39.70 | $317.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.67 | $381.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.88 | $463.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Trenton
Based on $39.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.70/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Trenton, NJ can expect to earn approximately $82,569 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,636. With a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Trenton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Trenton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,587.86 | $6,881 | $82,569 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $952.72 | $4,128 | $49,541 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $635.15 | $2,752 | $33,028 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Trenton) | $39.70 |
| 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 Trenton, NJ earn a median of $82,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.22% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 9.60% above the New Jersey state average of $75,332.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.70/hr = $49,541/year (purchasing power: $48,015).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,569/year (purchasing power: $80,024).
CoL index: 103.18 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Trenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Trenton grew 28.5% from $29.53/hr (2019) to $37.94/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.53/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 Trenton 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 Trenton
Earning potential as an athletic trainer in Trenton fluctuates based on work arrangement and employer type. A part-time athletic trainer working 24 hours per week could see annual earnings around $49,482, whilst full-time positions typically offer much greater income opportunities. The per diem athletic trainer pay in Trenton can be particularly lucrative; game coverage often pays between $200 to $500 per event, while industrial settings might offer contractor rates between $50 and $80 per hour. Athletic trainers at various employers, such as high schools, universities, and professional teams, might experience different pay rates, reflecting the demands and responsibilities of each setting. Many in the field weigh the benefits of traditional employment, such as health insurance, against potentially higher hourly wages in more flexible roles. Negotiating a satisfactory hourly rate is essential; professionals should research industry standards and consider their unique skills to secure favorable terms that reflect their expertise within the athletic training community in NJ.
More salary data for Trenton, NJ:
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 Trenton. 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