Athletic Trainer Salary in Massachusetts: $71,714 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 58 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $71,714/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,096 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boston ($71,880), Newton ($71,302), Cambridge ($70,164).
In Massachusetts, the average median salary for athletic trainers is projected to be $71,713 in 2026, which is 9.6% higher than the national median of $65,415. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state, with Boston offering the highest average at $75,208, while Northampton presents the lowest at $63,578. This $11,630 difference can be attributed to several factors, including the concentration of sports teams and medical facilities in urban areas, as well as higher living costs in cities like Boston. Massachusetts has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact job prospects and salaries. The demand for athletic trainers is expected to grow due to an increasing focus on health, sports safety, and injury prevention, with a projected growth rate of 4.63% annually. Currently, 1,207 athletic trainers are employed across the state, indicating a healthy job market. Top cities projecting high salaries include Newton at $74,603, Cambridge at $73,413, Lynn at $72,898, and Somerville at $71,943, reflecting local market conditions that drive salary variations. Overall, the combination of state-specific factors and trends suggests a positive outlook for the profession in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $51,374 (lowest entry-level) to $113,314 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts athletic trainers earn 9.63% more than the national median (+$6,299/year difference).
Massachusetts Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Massachusetts range from $53,758 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $104,510 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $71,714. The Massachusetts median is $6,299 above the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $34.48/hr. Approximately 1,207 athletic trainers are employed across 58 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,695
2025 BLS Actual
$68,540
2026 Current Est.
$71,714
2019–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Massachusetts (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,695 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,131 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,091 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,212 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,353 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,044 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,714 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,034 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 20.9% from $56,695 (2019) to $68,540 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,034 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,339 (32.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Northampton | $63,578 |
| Worcester | $63,845 |
| Amherst Town | $64,431 |
| Springfield | $66,178 |
| Andover | $67,202 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $75,208 | 108.266 | $69,466 |
| Springfield | $66,178 | 96.061 | $68,892 |
| Newton | $74,603 | 108.5 | $68,759 |
| Cambridge | $73,413 | 108.5 | $67,662 |
| Lynn | $72,898 | 108.5 | $67,187 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,758 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $71,714 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $104,510 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 58 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $75,208 |
| 2 | Newton | $74,603 |
| 3 | Cambridge | $73,413 |
| 4 | Lynn | $72,898 |
| 5 | Somerville | $71,943 |
| 6 | Revere | $71,831 |
| 7 | Brockton | $71,584 |
| 8 | New Bedford | $71,504 |
| 9 | Plymouth | $71,459 |
| 10 | Malden | $71,201 |
| 11 | Haverhill | $71,189 |
| 12 | Lowell | $71,171 |
| 13 | Framingham | $71,139 |
| 14 | Peabody | $71,044 |
| 15 | Weymouth | $70,830 |
| 16 | Chicopee | $70,616 |
| 17 | Randolph | $70,539 |
| 18 | Quincy | $70,414 |
| 19 | Amherst | $70,330 |
| 20 | Chelsea | $70,324 |
| 21 | Medford | $70,132 |
| 22 | Fall River | $70,065 |
| 23 | Marlborough | $70,065 |
| 24 | Watertown | $70,054 |
| 25 | Pittsfield | $70,005 |
| 26 | Fitchburg | $70,000 |
| 27 | Methuen | $69,972 |
| 28 | Taunton | $69,942 |
| 29 | Arlington | $69,917 |
| 30 | Needham | $69,735 |
| 31 | Westfield | $69,702 |
| 32 | Everett | $69,691 |
| 33 | Holyoke | $69,333 |
| 34 | Lawrence | $69,217 |
| 35 | Beverly | $69,217 |
| 36 | Dartmouth | $69,134 |
| 37 | Waltham | $69,065 |
| 38 | Barnstable | $68,991 |
| 39 | Brookline | $68,840 |
| 40 | Billerica | $68,732 |
| 41 | Braintree | $68,501 |
| 42 | Salem | $68,385 |
| 43 | Natick | $68,341 |
| 44 | Dracut | $67,983 |
| 45 | Lexington | $67,939 |
| 46 | Stoughton | $67,939 |
| 47 | Shrewsbury | $67,852 |
| 48 | Franklin | $67,669 |
| 49 | Attleboro | $67,614 |
| 50 | Woburn | $67,526 |
| 51 | Chelmsford | $67,465 |
| 52 | Wellesley | $67,428 |
| 53 | Leominster | $67,367 |
| 54 | Andover | $67,202 |
| 55 | Springfield | $66,178 |
| 56 | Amherst Town | $64,431 |
| 57 | Worcester | $63,845 |
| 58 | Northampton | $63,578 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Massachusetts in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Massachusetts?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Massachusetts?
Which Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 58 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