Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Portland, OR: $29.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Portland, OR runs $29.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,119 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,267 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Portland, OR, the athletic trainer hourly pay stands at a median of $29.86, which is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.45. This figure reflects the diverse work environments for athletic trainers, ranging from high school gyms and college athletic facilities to professional sports team training rooms and military bases. For part-time or per diem athletic trainers, who often work three days a week, this hourly rate can translate into a substantial income depending on the number of events covered or contracts obtained. The hourly wage for athletic trainers in the region varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $25.36 and the most experienced professionals earning up to $43.32 per hour, according to the latest estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.36 | $202.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.33 | $226.67 |
| Median (P50) | $29.86 | $238.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.88 | $311.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.32 | $346.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $29.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.86/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, OR can expect to earn approximately $62,112 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,834. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,194.46 | $5,176 | $62,112 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $716.67 | $3,106 | $37,267 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $477.78 | $2,070 | $24,845 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Portland) | $29.86 |
| 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 Portland, OR earn a median of $62,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.04% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.40% below the Oregon state average of $67,083.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.86/hr = $37,267/year (purchasing power: $35,351).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,112/year (purchasing power: $58,918).
CoL index: 105.421 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Portland grew 14.8% from $24.87/hr (2019) to $28.54/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.24/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 Portland 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 Portland
Considering the earning potential, a part-time athletic trainer working 24 hours a week could expect an annual income of approximately $37,167, while full-time athletic trainers working 40 hours regularly earn around $62,119. This difference highlights the financial realities for per diem athletic trainers, who can command rates from $200 to $500 per event, especially in high-stakes settings like bowl games or playoff coverage, where stipends range from $200 to $1,000. Moreover, those involved in industrial occupational roles in companies like Toyota and Boeing often benefit from higher billing rates of $50 to $80 per hour. While some athletic trainers may accept lower hourly wages for positions that include health benefits, others might aim for the higher hourly rates available in freelance or per diem roles. For trainers operating in the competitive Portland market, negotiation skills can be crucial in securing positions that reflect their expertise and the current demand for athletic trainers across various sectors.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Portland 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 Portland. 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