Athletic Trainer Salary in Delaware: $59,231 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $59,231/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $58,241 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($64,930), Newark ($55,639), Dover ($55,495).
As of 2026, the average median salary for athletic trainers in Delaware is $59,231, which is approximately 9.5% below the national median of $65,415. Within the state, Wilmington offers the highest salaries at $67,936, while Middletown presents the lowest at $54,137, resulting in a salary gap of $13,799. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of sports programs, healthcare facilities, and population density in Wilmington compared to Middletown. Delaware has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the profession. Athletic trainers must be licensed to practice, which ensures a standard of care and professionalism in the industry. The demand for athletic trainers is expected to grow, with a projected annual compounded growth rate of 4.63%, driven by increasing awareness of sports-related injuries and the importance of injury prevention in both schools and athletic programs. The overall job market within the state currently has 39 employed athletic trainers, with the top cities for employment and salary being Wilmington, Newark ($58,215), Dover ($58,064), Bear ($56,150), and Smyrna ($54,282). As the demand for qualified professionals continues to rise, the outlook for new athletic trainers entering the field appears promising.
Delaware Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $43,641 (lowest entry-level) to $93,618 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware athletic trainers earn 9.45% less than the national median ($-6,184/year difference).
Delaware Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Delaware range from $46,769 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,668 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,231. The Delaware median is $6,184 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $28.48/hr. Approximately 39 athletic trainers are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,861
2025 BLS Actual
$56,610
2026 Current Est.
$59,231
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,861 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,147 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,843 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,751 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,454 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,298 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,231 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,974 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $43,861 (2019) to $56,610 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,974 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,113 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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 Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $54,137 |
| Smyrna | $54,282 |
| Bear | $56,150 |
| Dover | $58,064 |
| Newark | $58,215 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $67,936 | 101.7 | $66,800 |
| Newark | $58,215 | 101.7 | $57,242 |
| Dover | $58,064 | 101.7 | $57,093 |
| Bear | $56,150 | 101.7 | $55,211 |
| Smyrna | $54,282 | 101.7 | $53,375 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,769 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,231 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,668 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $67,936 |
| 2 | Newark | $58,215 |
| 3 | Dover | $58,064 |
| 4 | Bear | $56,150 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $54,282 |
| 6 | Middletown | $54,137 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Delaware in 2026?
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How does Delaware athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
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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
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 Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 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, 2-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