Athletic Trainer Salary in Bear, DE: $56,150 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Bear, DE earns a median $56,150/year (≈ $26.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Bear's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $55,211 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Bear, Delaware, can expect a median annual salary of $56,150 in 2026, reflecting a growing profession shaped significantly by the transition to a master’s degree requirement in 2022. The salary spectrum for athletic trainers in this region ranges from $45,723 at the 10th percentile to $72,987 at the 90th percentile, indicating various levels of experience and setting variances. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price differences. Compared to the national median salary of $65,415, the compensation in Bear shows a notable decrease, positioning local athletic trainers approximately 14.16% below the national average. This employment market remains competitive, suggesting that those entering the field should be mindful of both their qualifications and potential job settings when negotiating their pay.
About the Bear Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,723 | $21.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,410 | $24.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,150 | $26.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,187 | $30.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,987 | $35.09 |
Median Salary Position
14.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bear
In Bear, DE, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,264 (2026 est.). At $56,150, the local median is 14.16% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bear: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bear Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Bear median: $56,150/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bear Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $58,611 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -14.16% less |
Athletic Trainers in Bear, DE earn a median of $56,150 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.16% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.20% below the Delaware state average of $58,611.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bear has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bear, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,150 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,211 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,579
2025 BLS Actual
$53,665
2026 Current Est.
$56,150
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Bear (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,579 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,798 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,562 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,214 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,725 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,476 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,665 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,150 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,749 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bear metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,579 (2019) to $53,665 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,749 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,170 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bear 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,723 – $50,410 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,410 – $56,150 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,150 – $64,187 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,187 – $72,987 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Bear
With only six athletic trainers currently employed in Bear, the local job market remains relatively small yet potentially lucrative. The cost of living index sits at 101.7, just above the national average, which may substantially impact take-home earnings. Among employers, secondary schools, colleges, and industrial health settings tend to offer differing pay scales, with athletics within professional sports generally commanding the highest salaries. Factors influencing the pay range include the specific athletic training environment—whether in high schools, colleges, or occupational health—as well as job responsibilities and qualifications such as additional certifications (CSCS, OCS-AT). To maximize earnings in this market, athletic trainers should consider pursuing opportunities in industrial settings, seek out head athletic trainer positions over assistant roles, and negotiate for stipends related to evening and weekend events.
More salary data for Bear, DE:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $53,665 for athletic trainersin the Bear metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bear 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