Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Cleveland Heights, OH: $29.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Cleveland Heights, OH runs $29.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,982 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Cleveland Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,588 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $29.32 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national median of $31.45. This disparity reflects the differences in local job markets and living costs, with Cleveland Heights maintaining a cost of living index below the national average at 90.7. For athletic trainers working part-time—such as those in high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, or outpatient clinics—their earnings can be relatively stable, given a three-day workweek. Entry-level positions typically start at around $23.56, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $39.90 per hour. The hourly rates mentioned are based on annual salary data, providing a critical perspective for those considering flexible work hours or per-diem opportunities within various training environments.
About the Cleveland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.56 | $188.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.22 | $209.76 |
| Median (P50) | $29.32 | $234.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.31 | $274.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.90 | $319.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland Heights
Based on $29.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.32/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland Heights, OH can expect to earn approximately $60,980 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,181. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,172.69 | $5,082 | $60,980 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $703.62 | $3,049 | $36,588 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $469.08 | $2,033 | $24,392 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Cleveland Heights) | $29.32 |
| 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 Cleveland Heights, OH earn a median of $60,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.78% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 5.10% below the Ohio state average of $64,259.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.32/hr = $36,588/year (purchasing power: $40,340).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,980/year (purchasing power: $67,233).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Cleveland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Cleveland Heights grew 29.1% from $21.71/hr (2019) to $28.02/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.67/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 Cleveland Heights 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 Cleveland Heights
Considering part-time work, an athletic trainer putting in 24 hours a week could bring home about $45,700 annually when working consistently over the year. In contrast, those pursuing per-diem roles often experience more lucrative opportunities; game coverage can earn athletic trainers between $200 and $500 per event, and those contracted in industrial settings might see pay rates of $50 to $80 per hour. Due to varied work environments across Cleveland Heights—ranging from secondary schools to professional sports teams—the pay rates can also fluctuate significantly. While some choose positions with lower hourly rates for the added benefits of health insurance, others might opt for higher rates without benefits. Negotiating hourly pay can be effective when discussing roles, especially by leveraging the demand for skilled athletic trainers in both traditional sports and emerging industrial health settings.
More salary data for Cleveland Heights, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Cleveland Heights 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 Cleveland Heights. 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 Cleveland Heights 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