Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Austin, TX: $32.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Austin, TX runs $32.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,120 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Austin's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,270 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Austin, Texas, can expect a median hourly pay of $32.27, offering a competitive edge over the national median hourly rate of $31.45. This hourly compensation makes the profession appealing for part-time roles and per-diem opportunities, which are common across various settings such as high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and outpatient clinics. For athletic trainers working part-time at three days a week, this translates to substantial earnings, especially considering the hourly range from $31.85 for entry-level positions to $39.29 for the top 10% of earners. With official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures attest to the profession's financial viability in a city known for its vibrant sports culture and health services.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.85 | $254.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.27 | $258.14 |
| Median (P50) | $32.27 | $258.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.27 | $258.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.29 | $314.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Austin
Based on $32.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.27/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Austin, TX can expect to earn approximately $67,117 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,721. With a cost-of-living index of 98.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Austin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Austin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,290.72 | $5,593 | $67,117 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $774.43 | $3,356 | $40,270 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $516.29 | $2,237 | $26,847 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Austin) | $32.27 |
| 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 Austin, TX earn a median of $67,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.61% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 3.50% below the Texas state average of $69,555.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.27/hr = $40,270/year (purchasing power: $41,065).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,117/year (purchasing power: $68,441).
CoL index: 98.066 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Austin grew 7.0% from $28.81/hr (2019) to $30.84/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.76/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 Austin 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 Austin
When examining the financial implications for part-time athletic trainers in Austin, those working approximately 24 hours a week stand to make a notable income compared to full-time professionals. Part-time trainers could anticipate annual earnings that can provide a comfortable living, especially if they supplement their income through per-diem work. The pay for per diem athletic trainers in Austin varies significantly based on the event or setting; game coverage typically yields between $200-$500 per event, while industrial and occupational health positions can pay between $50-$80 per hour. Different employer types lead to diverse hourly rates, notably between secondary schools and collegiate or professional teams, where competition drives salary expectations. Additionally, athletic trainers in positions that offer health insurance may accept lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits, while others may seek higher hourly rates without such safety nets. Negotiating an athletic trainer hourly rate in Austin involves understanding both market rates and one’s own worth, encouraging trainers to thoroughly evaluate job offers against the local cost of living and the responsiveness of various employers in the area.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 Austin. 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