Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $35.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Seattle, WA runs $35.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,220 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,927 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Seattle, Washington earn a median hourly rate of $35.20, which is notably higher than the national median of $31.45. This disparity reflects the demand for skilled professionals in varied environments such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, professional team training rooms, industrial workplace clinics, military bases, and physician outpatient clinics. The hourly rate ranges from $23.09 for entry-level positions to $51.52 for the most experienced trainers, illustrating significant growth opportunities within this profession. The data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, indicates a healthy labor market for athletic trainers in Seattle, emphasizing the advantage of hourly compensation structures that cater to part-time and per-diem workers.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.09 | $184.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.75 | $237.97 |
| Median (P50) | $35.20 | $281.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.25 | $329.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.52 | $412.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $35.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.20/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $73,211 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,237. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,407.90 | $6,101 | $73,211 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $844.74 | $3,661 | $43,927 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $563.16 | $2,440 | $29,284 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Seattle) | $35.20 |
| 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 Seattle, WA earn a median of $73,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.93% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 4.20% above the Washington state average of $70,269.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.20/hr = $43,927/year (purchasing power: $39,526).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,211/year (purchasing power: $65,877).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+57.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Seattle grew 43.6% from $23.42/hr (2019) to $33.64/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.83/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 Seattle 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 Seattle
Considering the earning potential, a part-time athletic trainer working three days per week (roughly 24 hours) would earn approximately $43,584 annually, compared to full-time colleagues who may see significantly higher figures. Per-diem athletic trainers often receive compensation ranging from $200 to $500 per event, especially in high-demand scenarios like college bowl games or playoff coverage, with industrial AT contractors frequently billing between $50 and $80 per hour in corporate settings. Various employer types influence hourly rates; for instance, positions within secondary schools, colleges, and professional sports teams typically offer different financial benefits. While some athletic trainers might accept lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prefer higher pay without those perks. Negotiation strategies can be pivotal in this varied landscape; it's advisable for hourly workers to research standard rates in their specific sector to leverage their worth effectively in discussions.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
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 Seattle. 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