Athletic Trainer Salary in New Orleans, LA: $63,134 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in New Orleans, LA earns a median $63,134/year (≈ $30.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in New Orleans's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $68,181 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in New Orleans, LA can expect a median annual salary of $63,134, reflecting a competitive position in the regional job market, albeit slightly below the national median of $65,415. Salaries for athletic trainers in this area show considerable variation, ranging from $52,587 at the 10th percentile to $87,303 at the 90th percentile, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2025 data projected to 2026. While high school athletic training roles often come with school-year contracts that may limit annual salary potential, opportunities in year-round industrial settings can significantly enhance take-home pay. The diverse landscape of athletic training employment in New Orleans creates a challenging yet rewarding environment for professionals looking to further their careers while considering the trade-offs between educational institutions and industrial jobs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,587 | $25.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,318 | $29.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,134 | $30.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,523 | $38.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,303 | $41.98 |
Median Salary Position
3.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Orleans
In New Orleans, LA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,716 (2026 est.). At $63,134, the local median is 3.49% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Orleans: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Orleans Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
New Orleans median: $63,134/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Orleans Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $65,424 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -3.49% less |
Athletic Trainers in New Orleans, LA earn a median of $63,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.50% below the Louisiana state average of $65,424.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Orleans has a cost of living 7.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Orleans, LA has a cost-of-living index of 92.597 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,134 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,181 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,170
2025 BLS Actual
$60,340
2026 Current Est.
$63,134
2019–2027 Growth
+49.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,134 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,057 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Orleans metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 36.6% from $44,170 (2019) to $60,340 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,057 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,887 (49.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Orleans 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) | $52,587 – $62,318 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,318 – $63,134 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,134 – $80,523 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,523 – $87,303 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in New Orleans
A total of 220 athletic trainers are currently employed in New Orleans, navigating a job market that offers various pay scales based on work setting. The local cost-of-living index of 92.597 provides an advantage, suggesting that athletic trainer salaries go further in terms of purchasing power compared to many other U.S. locations. Employers that typically offer higher pay include professional sports teams, NCAA colleges, and industrial health settings, such as Toyota and Boeing, where athletic trainers can earn considerably more than their peers in educational institutions. Factors contributing to pay disparities include the type of employment setting, the distinction between head and assistant athletic trainers, and additional stipends for overseeing events beyond standard hours. To maximize earnings in this specific market, prospective athletic trainers in New Orleans should prioritize obtaining relevant certifications (like CSCS or OCS-AT), pursue opportunities with larger employers, and consider roles that provide year-round contracts instead of seasonal positions.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
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 $60,340 for athletic trainersin the New Orleans 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
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).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov