Athletic Trainer Salary in Florida: $63,700 (2026)
💡Quick Answer:Across Florida's 81 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $63,700/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091.Because Florida sits at BEA RPP 100.8 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,194 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sarasota ($65,731), West Palm Beach ($64,991), North Port ($64,770).
Florida athletic trainer salary overview (2026)
$63,700
Avg Median Salary
$30.63
Avg Hourly Rate
2,331
Metro Employed
81
Cities
In 2026, athletic trainers in Florida are projected to earn an average median salary of $63,700, which is slightly below the national median of $65,415, representing a difference of 2.6%. The highest salaries can be found in Sarasota, where trainers can expect to earn $68,774, while Daytona Beach offers the lowest average salary at $53,571, indicating a salary gap of $15,203. This discrepancy is often driven by factors such as the cost of living differences, local demand for sports programming, and the presence of professional sports teams in areas like Sarasota and West Palm Beach.
Florida imposes specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence salary levels and job opportunities. The demand for athletic trainers is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.63%, reflecting an increasing recognition of the role of health and fitness in schools and recreational programs. With a total employment of 2,331 athletic trainers across 81 metro areas, regions such as West Palm Beach ($68,000), North Port ($67,769), and Hialeah ($66,810) also offer competitive salaries. The job market's steady growth underscores the need for athletic trainers, making it a viable career path within the state.
Florida Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Entry Level (10th %ile)
$49,804
avg across 81 cities
Median
$63,700
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$87,624
avg across 81 cities
Overall salary range in Florida: $42,094 (lowest entry-level) to $101,247 (highest top earner)
Florida vs National Average
Florida
$63,700
National Median
$65,415
Florida athletic trainers earn 2.62% less than the national median ($-1,715/year difference).
Florida Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Florida range from $49,804 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,624 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,700. The Florida median is $1,715 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $30.63/hr. Approximately 2,331 athletic trainers are employed across 81 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,646
2025 BLS Actual
$60,881
2026 Current Est.
$63,700
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Florida (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Year
Annual Salary
Status
2019
$44,646
Actual
2020
$45,395
Actual
2021
$48,005
Actual
2022
$53,643
Actual
2023
$55,077
Actual
2024
$57,798
Actual
2025
$60,881
Actual
2026(current)
$63,700
Estimated
2027
$66,649
Projected
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florida metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 36.4% from $44,646 (2019) to $60,881 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,003 (49.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florida 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.
How much do athletic trainers make in Florida in 2026?
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The average median athletic trainer salary in Florida is $63,700/year across 81 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $53,571 in Daytona Beach to $68,774 in Sarasota. This makes Florida 2.62% below the national median of $65,415. The state employs approximately 2,331 athletic trainers.
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Florida?
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Sarasota offers the highest athletic trainer salary in Florida at $68,774/year ($33.06/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Sarasota ($68,774), West Palm Beach ($68,000), North Port ($67,769). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for athletic training services, and competition among employers for licensed athletic trainers.
How does Florida athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
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Florida's average athletic trainer salary of $63,700 is 2.62% below the national median of $65,415 in 2026. The state employs approximately 2,331 athletic trainers across 81 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Florida?
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Entry-level athletic trainers (10th percentile) in Florida earn approximately $49,804/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $42,094 in lower-paying areas to $54,136 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.
How many athletic trainers are employed in Florida?
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Florida employs approximately 2,331 athletic trainers across 81 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the athletic training field expands and the population ages.
Which Florida city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
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When adjusted for cost of living, Sarasota offers the highest purchasing power for athletic trainers in Florida, with an adjusted salary of $68,228 (nominal: $68,774, CoL index: 100.8). This means your dollar goes 1% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.
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.
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 Florida. State averages are employment-weighted across 81 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).
