Athletic Trainer Salary in Arizona: $64,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $64,657/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,642 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Scottsdale ($64,898), Glendale ($64,670), Gilbert ($63,143).
Athletic trainer salaries in Arizona are projected to average $64,657 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $65,415, resulting in a 1.2% disparity. The highest-paying city for this profession is Scottsdale, where trainers can expect to earn approximately $67,903, while those in Sedona earn about $60,488, illustrating a salary gap of $7,415. This difference can be attributed to varying demand for athletic trainers, local cost of living, and potentially differing employer types within each location. Arizona's state licensing requirements are essential for practice, as the state has comprehensive scope of practice laws that govern what athletic trainers are allowed to do, impacting job responsibilities and hence salary potential. Additionally, the demand for athletic trainers in the state is driven by a growing emphasis on health, wellness, and sports programs, particularly in metropolitan areas. The job market outlook for athletic trainers in Arizona shows a positive growth rate of 4.63% annually, with a total of 1,134 athletic trainers employed across the state. The top cities projected for 2026 include Glendale at $67,664, Gilbert at $66,067, Peoria at $65,851, and Maricopa at $65,312, highlighting diverse opportunities for professionals in this field.
Arizona Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $46,163 (lowest entry-level) to $108,836 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona athletic trainers earn 1.16% less than the national median ($-758/year difference).
Arizona Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Arizona range from $50,063 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $99,002 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,657. The Arizona median is $758 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $31.09/hr. Approximately 1,134 athletic trainers are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,578
2025 BLS Actual
$61,796
2026 Current Est.
$64,657
2019–2027 Growth
+62.7%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,578 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,378 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,972 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,415 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,149 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,796 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,650 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 48.6% from $41,578 (2019) to $61,796 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,650 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,072 (62.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sedona | $60,488 |
| Nogales | $60,696 |
| Oro Valley | $61,078 |
| Sierra Vista | $61,643 |
| Apache Junction | $62,123 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsdale | $67,903 | 98.5 | $68,937 |
| Glendale | $67,664 | 98.5 | $68,694 |
| Gilbert | $66,067 | 98.5 | $67,073 |
| Peoria | $65,851 | 98.5 | $66,854 |
| Maricopa | $65,312 | 98.5 | $66,307 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,063 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,657 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $99,002 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottsdale | $67,903 |
| 2 | Glendale | $67,664 |
| 3 | Gilbert | $66,067 |
| 4 | Peoria | $65,851 |
| 5 | Maricopa | $65,312 |
| 6 | Avondale | $65,215 |
| 7 | Chandler | $65,019 |
| 8 | Marana | $64,970 |
| 9 | Yuma | $64,924 |
| 10 | San Tan Valley | $64,782 |
| 11 | Tempe | $64,705 |
| 12 | Phoenix | $64,567 |
| 13 | Surprise | $64,294 |
| 14 | Mesa | $64,254 |
| 15 | Goodyear | $64,195 |
| 16 | Tucson | $63,960 |
| 17 | Lake Havasu City | $63,939 |
| 18 | Queen Creek | $63,924 |
| 19 | Buckeye | $63,327 |
| 20 | Flagstaff | $62,904 |
| 21 | Florence | $62,897 |
| 22 | Casa Grande | $62,760 |
| 23 | Bullhead City | $62,753 |
| 24 | El Mirage | $62,472 |
| 25 | Kingman | $62,318 |
| 26 | Sahuarita | $62,203 |
| 27 | Prescott Valley | $62,193 |
| 28 | Prescott | $62,168 |
| 29 | Apache Junction | $62,123 |
| 30 | Sierra Vista | $61,643 |
| 31 | Oro Valley | $61,078 |
| 32 | Nogales | $60,696 |
| 33 | Sedona | $60,488 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Arizona
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Arizona?
How does Arizona athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Arizona?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 athletic trainer compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more athletic trainerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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