Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Bellingham, WA: $33.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Bellingham, WA runs $33.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,195 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Bellingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,111 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Bellingham, WA, can expect a median hourly rate of $33.74, surpassing the national median of $31.45. This competitive wage reflects the varied nature of the profession, with opportunities across high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional sports environments, as well as in industrial settings and military bases. Part-time athletic trainers working three days a week can find themselves in the range of $25.14 to $49.44 per hour, depending on their level of experience and the type of organization they work for. With a projected salary range from $25.14 at the lower 10th percentile to as much as $49.44 at the 90th percentile, hourly pay in Bellingham offers a wide spectrum, allowing trainers to choose their career path based on personal aspirations and work-life balance.
About the Bellingham Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.14 | $201.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.96 | $231.69 |
| Median (P50) | $33.74 | $269.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.06 | $320.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.44 | $395.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellingham
Based on $33.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.74/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellingham, WA can expect to earn approximately $70,186 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,492. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,349.73 | $5,849 | $70,186 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $809.84 | $3,509 | $42,111 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $539.89 | $2,340 | $28,074 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Bellingham) | $33.74 |
| 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 Bellingham, WA earn a median of $70,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.31% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 0.10% below the Washington state average of $70,265.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.74/hr = $42,111/year (purchasing power: $39,210).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,186/year (purchasing power: $65,350).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Bellingham grew 29.1% from $24.99/hr (2019) to $32.25/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.31/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 Bellingham 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 Bellingham
Exploring the earning potential in Bellingham reveals distinct advantages and challenges for athletic trainers. A part-time professional working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would take home about $26,600 annually, significantly less than a full-time trainer, who can earn upwards of $70,195 per year. The per diem athletic trainer pay in Bellingham also presents various options; coverage for events can net professionals between $200-$500 per event, while industrial athletic trainers may command between $50-$80 per hour for contractor work. Hourly rates fluctuate based on employer types, with secondary schools typically offering lower pay compared to NCAA colleges or professional franchises. Trainers might choose lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance or retirement plans, particularly in less lucrative settings. For those working as per diem or agency trainers, negotiations should focus on leveraging their value, considering local demand levels that can influence pay scales across different sectors.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Bellingham. 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 Bellingham 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