Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $36.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Houston, TX runs $36.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,491 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,298 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Houston, TX, can expect a median hourly pay of $36.30, which is notably higher than the national average of $31.45. This competitive rate offers appealing possibilities for both full-time and part-time professionals in various settings, including high schools, colleges, and even professional sports teams. For athletic trainers who typically work part-time, such as those working three days a week, this median rate translates to a solid income while offering flexibility. Entry-level positions begin at approximately $30.37 per hour, while experienced professionals can command salaries nearing $54.31 per hour, allowing for numerous opportunities, especially in specialized niches like industrial settings or sports medicine clinics.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.37 | $242.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.38 | $243.08 |
| Median (P50) | $36.30 | $290.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.53 | $348.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.31 | $434.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $36.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.30/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $75,496 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,555. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,451.85 | $6,291 | $75,496 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $871.11 | $3,775 | $45,298 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $580.74 | $2,517 | $30,198 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Houston) | $36.30 |
| 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 Houston, TX earn a median of $75,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.40% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 8.50% above the Texas state average of $69,577.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.30/hr = $45,298/year (purchasing power: $45,927).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,496/year (purchasing power: $76,545).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Houston grew -9.6% from $38.37/hr (2019) to $34.69/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.98/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 Houston 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 Houston
When considering the financial realities of being an athletic trainer in Houston, part-time trainers working a 24-hour week could take home around $45,140 annually, which presents a good balance between work and personal life. However, many athletic trainers opt for per-diem or agency positions, which can provide significantly more lucrative pay rates. For example, per diem athletic trainer pay in Houston can range from $200 to $500 per event for game coverage, while industrial athletic trainers often earn between $50 and $80 per hour at corporate clients like Toyota or Boeing. In contrast, those working in schools may find their hourly earnings lower but can trade off these rates for benefits like health insurance. This balance of hourly pay versus benefits can influence career decisions significantly, and negotiation tactics become crucial in securing favorable terms in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Houston 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 Houston. 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