Athletic Trainer Salary in Maryland: $68,188 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $68,188/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $62,386 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($69,282), Gaithersburg ($68,833), Germantown ($68,784).
In Maryland, athletic trainers can expect an average median salary of $68,188 in 2026, which is 4.2% higher than the national median of $65,415. The salary spectrum varies significantly across the state, with Aspen Hill leading at $72,490, while Towson offers the lowest salary at $65,202. This $7,288 difference is influenced by local demand for sports and healthcare, the cost of living, and variations in job opportunities within metropolitan areas. Maryland's specific factors include stringent state licensing requirements and defined scope of practice laws, creating a regulated environment for athletic trainers. These trainers are increasingly sought in schools, colleges, and sports organizations, contributing to a job market projected to grow at a rate of 4.63% annually, based on recent BLS data. This growth reflects a national trend toward preventive healthcare and the importance of injury management in athletics. The top five cities for athletic trainer salaries in 2026 are Aspen Hill ($72,490), Gaithersburg ($72,020), Germantown ($71,969), Ellicott City ($71,805), and Waldorf ($71,731). Overall, Maryland offers a stable and growing employment outlook for athletic trainers, making it a viable option for those considering this career path.
Maryland Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $46,916 (lowest entry-level) to $102,075 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland athletic trainers earn 4.24% more than the national median (+$2,773/year difference).
Maryland Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Maryland range from $51,361 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $96,148 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $68,188. The Maryland median is $2,773 above the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $32.78/hr. Approximately 465 athletic trainers are employed across 27 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,870
2025 BLS Actual
$65,171
2026 Current Est.
$68,188
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,044 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,171 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,188 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,346 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 28.1% from $50,870 (2019) to $65,171 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,346 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,476 (40.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Towson | $65,202 |
| Baltimore | $65,457 |
| Cumberland | $66,178 |
| Columbia | $66,638 |
| Greenbelt | $67,695 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen Hill | $72,490 | 109.3 | $66,322 |
| Gaithersburg | $72,020 | 109.3 | $65,892 |
| Germantown | $71,969 | 109.3 | $65,845 |
| Ellicott City | $71,805 | 109.3 | $65,695 |
| Waldorf | $71,731 | 109.3 | $65,628 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $51,361 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $68,188 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $96,148 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $72,490 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $72,020 |
| 3 | Germantown | $71,969 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $71,805 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $71,731 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $71,487 |
| 7 | Bowie | $71,148 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $70,928 |
| 9 | Frederick | $69,947 |
| 10 | Annapolis | $69,933 |
| 11 | Severn | $69,931 |
| 12 | College Park | $69,794 |
| 13 | Rockville | $69,705 |
| 14 | Silver Spring | $69,670 |
| 15 | Salisbury | $69,539 |
| 16 | Potomac | $69,339 |
| 17 | Hagerstown | $69,150 |
| 18 | Bethesda | $69,059 |
| 19 | Dundalk | $69,059 |
| 20 | Odenton | $68,824 |
| 21 | Catonsville | $68,263 |
| 22 | Laurel | $67,918 |
| 23 | Greenbelt | $67,695 |
| 24 | Columbia | $66,638 |
| 25 | Cumberland | $66,178 |
| 26 | Baltimore | $65,457 |
| 27 | Towson | $65,202 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Maryland?
How does Maryland athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Maryland?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
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
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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 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).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov