Athletic Trainer Salary in Wilmington, DE: $67,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Wilmington, DE earns a median $67,936/year (≈ $32.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $66,800 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For athletic trainers in Wilmington, DE, the 2026 median annual salary is projected to be $67,936, representing a competitive advantage over the national median of $65,415. Salary ranges from $51,741 at the lower end (P10) to $93,618 at the upper end (P90), indicating a dynamic local job market with varying pay opportunities. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, adjusted for regional cost variations. Athletic trainers in this city must consider the trade-off between school-year contracts often associated with academic institutions and the year-round roles typically found in industrial settings, which can influence salary potential significantly.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,741 | $24.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,937 | $28.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,936 | $32.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,905 | $38.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,618 | $45.01 |
Median Salary Position
3.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, DE, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,877 (2026 est.). At $67,936, the local median is 3.85% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $67,936/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $66,801 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +3.85% more |
Athletic Trainers in Wilmington, DE earn a median of $67,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.85% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 1.70% above the Delaware state average of $66,801.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,936 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,800 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,307
2025 BLS Actual
$64,930
2026 Current Est.
$67,936
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,307 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,782 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,286 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,915 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,163 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,082 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $50,307 (2019) to $64,930 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,082 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,775 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $51,741 – $58,937 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,937 – $67,936 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,936 – $79,905 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,905 – $93,618 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Wilmington
In Wilmington, there are currently 10 athletic trainers employed, highlighting a focused but stable job market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 101.7, Wilmington's purchasing power affects take-home salaries for athletic trainers. Those working in high-demand sectors, such as professional sports teams and industrial health settings, tend to earn the most compared to those in secondary schools or outpatient clinics. The disparity in pay between lower-paying positions and those commanding higher salaries can be attributed to the nature of employment—professional sports and industrial roles generally offer year-round contracts with additional stipends for evening or weekend events. To maximize earning potential, aspiring athletic trainers in Wilmington should consider pursuing specialized certifications and seeking positions that offer comprehensive benefits, especially in lucrative industrial health environments.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $64,930 for athletic trainersin the Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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