Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Albuquerque, NM: $36.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Albuquerque, NM runs $36.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,794 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Albuquerque's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,480 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Albuquerque, NM, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $36.44, which represents a notable 15.87% increase over the national hourly median of $31.45. This competitive hourly wage positions athletic trainers favorably within various employment settings such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, professional team environments, industrial clinics, military bases, and outpatient physician clinics. The hourly rates range significantly from $26.08 for entry-level positions to $42.32 for the top earners, indicating a healthy job market for this profession. Such compensation ensures that both full-time and part-time workers can achieve a satisfactory income, with per-diem and flexible opportunities available to meet different lifestyle needs.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.08 | $208.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.15 | $233.20 |
| Median (P50) | $36.44 | $291.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.83 | $318.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.32 | $338.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albuquerque
Based on $36.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.44/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albuquerque, NM can expect to earn approximately $75,801 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,731. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albuquerque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albuquerque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,457.71 | $6,317 | $75,801 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $874.62 | $3,790 | $45,480 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $583.08 | $2,527 | $30,320 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Albuquerque) | $36.44 |
| 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 Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $75,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.87% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 22.70% above the New Mexico state average of $61,772.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.44/hr = $45,480/year (purchasing power: $47,601).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,801/year (purchasing power: $79,334).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Albuquerque grew 29.1% from $26.99/hr (2019) to $34.83/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.13/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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque
Exploring part-time opportunities, an athletic trainer working three days a week could expect to earn approximately $46,180 annually, based on a 24-hour workweek, significantly less than those choosing full-time positions. Per diem roles can vary substantially, with coverage for events typically ranging from $200 to $500 per occasion, while industrial athletic trainers might command hourly rates of $50 to $80 when contracted at larger facilities. Compensation can also differ based on employer types within Albuquerque; for example, athletic trainers in high schools often earn less than those in NCAA colleges, professional teams, or industrial health settings, where the rates may reach up to $42.32 per hour. Some professionals may opt for lower hourly wages with intrinsic benefits like health insurance, while others prioritize higher rates even at the expense of benefits. Negotiating hourly pay in Albuquerque often hinges on factors such as experience and the specific demands of the setting, making it essential for prospective athletic trainers to assess their priorities carefully in this evolving career landscape.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Albuquerque in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Albuquerque?
Are athletic trainers in Albuquerque paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Albuquerque?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in Albuquerque?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 Albuquerque. 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, 2-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