Athletic Trainer Salary in Honolulu, HI: $83,040 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Honolulu, HI earns a median $83,040/year (≈ $39.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $69,606 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Honolulu, HI, is projected to be $83,040, positioning it significantly above the national median salary of $65,415. This lucrative figure reflects the unique blend of athletic training roles within industrial and traditional sports environments, driving a substantial pay gap in the local market. The salary range for athletic trainers spans from $59,767 at the 10th percentile to $119,733 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a variety of earning potentials based on experience, setting, and specific qualifications. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local living costs, which are notably higher in Honolulu due to a cost of living index of 119.3, suggesting a robust job market for athletic trainers.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,767 | $28.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,946 | $33.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,040 | $39.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,438 | $48.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,733 | $57.57 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,966 (2026 est.). At $83,040, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Honolulu Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $83,040/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $78,045 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +26.94% more |
Athletic Trainers in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $83,040 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $78,045.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,040 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,606 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,491
2025 BLS Actual
$79,365
2026 Current Est.
$83,040
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,491 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,294 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,466 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,346 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,538 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,705 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,365 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,040 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,884 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $61,491 (2019) to $79,365 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,884 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,393 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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) | $59,767 – $69,946 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,946 – $83,040 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,040 – $101,438 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,438 – $119,733 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Honolulu
The local job market hosts 68 athletic trainers, indicating a niche environment with particular challenges and opportunities. Given Honolulu's elevated cost of living, prospective athletic trainers should consider how this reality impacts their take-home purchasing power. Employers that typically offer higher pay include colleges and universities, professional sports teams, and industrial settings, with the former two often providing more competitive salaries than secondary school roles. The variation between lower and higher pay is influenced by factors such as the hiring institution (schools versus professional teams), different contract types, and additional responsibilities that come with head versus assistant positions. To maximize earnings in this market, obtaining certifications such as CSCS and OCS-AT can enhance qualifications, while being flexible about working hours, including evening and weekend stipends, can further increase income potential in Honolulu.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
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 $79,365 for athletic trainersin the Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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