Athletic Trainer Salary in Baltimore, MD: $65,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Baltimore, MD earns a median $65,457/year (≈ $31.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Baltimore's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.5), that paycheck buys what $62,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.4% below the Maryland state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Baltimore, Maryland, can expect a median annual salary of $65,457, slightly surpassing the national median of $65,415. The compensation for these professionals ranges from $46,916 at the tenth percentile to as high as $92,775 for those at the ninetieth percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the diverse settings in which athletic trainers work, from high schools to professional sports teams. With distinct pay scales depending on the environment, insights into Baltimore’s job market show a growing demand for qualified trainers in various sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,916 | $22.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,366 | $26.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,457 | $31.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,407 | $36.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,775 | $44.60 |
Median Salary Position
0.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baltimore
In Baltimore, MD, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,859 (2026 est.). At $65,457, the local median is 0.06% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baltimore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baltimore Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Baltimore median: $65,457/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baltimore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $71,459 | -8.40% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +0.06% more |
Athletic Trainers in Baltimore, MD earn a median of $65,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.06% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 8.40% below the Maryland state average of $71,459.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baltimore has a cost of living 4.49% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 104.487 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,457 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,646 — a 4.29% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,870
2025 BLS Actual
$62,560
2026 Current Est.
$65,457
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Baltimore (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 | $57,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,487 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baltimore metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 23.0% from $50,870 (2019) to $62,560 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,487 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,617 (34.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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) | $46,916 – $54,366 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,366 – $65,457 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,457 – $75,407 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,407 – $92,775 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Baltimore
The local job market contains approximately 170 athletic trainers, highlighting a competitive landscape in Baltimore's athletic training community. The cost of living index for the area is 104.487, indicating that athletic trainers should be mindful of how their compensation correlates with living expenses. Among the various employers, collegiate athletic programs and professional sports teams generally offer higher salaries, while industrial settings tend to pay significantly more than traditional school positions. Several factors influence the salary range, including experience level, whether a position is full-time or part-time, and additional certification bonuses. To enhance earnings in this market, athletic trainers should seek opportunities for continuing education and specialize in in-demand certifications, thereby positioning themselves for higher pay in both sports and industrial health contexts.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
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 $62,560 for athletic trainersin the Baltimore 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