Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Cleveland, OH: $31.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Cleveland, OH runs $31.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,661 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,795 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Cleveland's athletic trainers can expect a median hourly rate of $31.09, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $31.45. This pay reflects the diverse settings where athletic trainers often work, including high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, professional sports teams, industrial workplace clinics, military bases, and outpatient clinics. Those entering the field can earn around $25.14 per hour, while the top earners in the Cleveland area can command as much as $38.93 per hour. Such an hourly wage is especially significant for part-time workers, who typically may find flexibility in their schedules while still earning a competitive income based on official BLS estimates from 2025, projected to 2026.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.14 | $201.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.56 | $236.46 |
| Median (P50) | $31.09 | $248.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.57 | $276.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.93 | $311.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $31.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.09/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, OH can expect to earn approximately $64,658 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,303. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,243.42 | $5,388 | $64,658 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $746.05 | $3,233 | $38,795 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $497.37 | $2,155 | $25,863 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Cleveland) | $31.09 |
| 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, OH earn a median of $64,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.60% above the Ohio state average of $64,276.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.09/hr = $38,795/year (purchasing power: $41,305).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,658/year (purchasing power: $68,841).
CoL index: 93.923 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Cleveland grew 22.9% from $24.17/hr (2019) to $29.71/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.52/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 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
Considering part-time stability, an athletic trainer working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could bring home around $38,563 annually, substantially less than their full-time counterparts. For those pursuing per diem opportunities, pay can vary significantly, with rates of $200 to $500 per event for game coverage and $50 to $80 per hour for industrial settings, resulting in more lucrative earnings in occupational health roles. Yet, full-time positions in secondary schools or collegiate environments often provide benefits that can outweigh a higher hourly wage in freelance settings. Athletic trainers in Cleveland should understand the nuances of hourly negotiations; advocating for competitive pay while considering the specific benefits package offered can lead to a more satisfactory long-term career in a city where the pay landscape shifts depending on employer type, from athletics-focused institutions to industrial clients like Toyota and Boeing.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Cleveland in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Cleveland?
Are athletic trainers in Cleveland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Cleveland?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in Cleveland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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. 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