Athletic Trainer Salary in Hilo, HI: $74,054 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Hilo, HI earns a median $74,054/year (≈ $35.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Hilo's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $62,074 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hilo, HI, the projections for athletic trainer pay in 2026 reveal a median salary of $74,054, significantly higher than the national median of $65,415. This strong local figure, along with a salary range spanning from $59,512 at the tenth percentile to $103,216 at the ninetieth percentile, reflects the demand for skilled professionals within the area. The estimates are shaped by 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic realities, showcasing the balance between school-year contractual roles in secondary education versus full-time positions in industrial settings such as occupational health services. Given the local employment count of only seven athletic trainers, the market can exhibit both opportunity and competition.
About the Hilo Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,512 | $28.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,241 | $31.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,054 | $35.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,361 | $42.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,216 | $49.63 |
Median Salary Position
13.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilo
In Hilo, HI, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,704 (2026 est.). At $74,054, the local median is 13.21% above the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Hilo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilo Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Hilo median: $74,054/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $78,034 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +13.21% more |
Athletic Trainers in Hilo, HI earn a median of $74,054 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.21% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 5.10% below the Hawaii state average of $78,034.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilo has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilo, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,054 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,074 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,837
2025 BLS Actual
$70,777
2026 Current Est.
$74,054
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Hilo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,837 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,445 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,815 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,951 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,581 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,189 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,777 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,054 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,483 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilo metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $54,837 (2019) to $70,777 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,483 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,646 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilo 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) | $59,512 – $66,241 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,241 – $74,054 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,054 – $88,361 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,361 – $103,216 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Hilo
The job market for athletic trainers in Hilo presents unique challenges, given the relatively small number of employed professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 119.3, the local pricing dynamics can impact take-home pay significantly. In the competitive field of athletic training, employers in industrial settings tend to offer higher compensation than those in education, often paying more due to the demands of year-round responsibilities. Factors influencing salary variations include specific roles such as head athletic trainers versus assistants, responsibilities associated with evening or weekend events, and additional certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT. For those looking to maximize their athletic trainer salary in Hilo, focusing on industrial health roles, pursuing advanced certifications, and negotiating stipends for event management could prove beneficial in enhancing overall compensation.
More salary data for Hilo, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can athletic trainers make $100K in Hilo?
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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 $70,777 for athletic trainersin the Hilo 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 Hilo 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