Athletic Trainer Salary in New Jersey: $75,401 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $75,401/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,452 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Princeton ($80,479), Trenton ($78,910), Jersey City ($77,813).

Athletic Trainer Salary in New Jersey - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — New Jersey athletic trainer salary overview (2026)

$75,401

Avg Median Salary

$36.25

Avg Hourly Rate

870

Metro Employed

Cities

In New Jersey, the average median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is projected at $75,401, surpassing the national median of $65,415 by 15.3%. This difference highlights the state's strong emphasis on health and sports, along with its specific regulations. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with the highest paying city being Princeton at $84,205 and the lowest being Camden at $65,201. This $19,004 difference can be attributed to factors such as local demand for athletic trainers, the density of sports programs, and the overall cost of living in each city. New Jersey's athletic trainers are subject to state licensing requirements, which dictate their scope of practice and contribute to the professionalism expected in the field. The anticipated annual growth rate for this profession is 4.63%, indicating a positive outlook fueled by increasing recognition of the importance of health and fitness in schools, colleges, and professional sports teams. With a total of 870 athletic trainers employed in various settings, major metropolitan areas such as Trenton ($82,564), Jersey City ($81,416), Newark ($80,160), and East Orange ($76,398) present additional opportunities for career growth and salary advancement.

New Jersey Athletic Trainer Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$57,639

avg across 61 cities

Median

$75,401

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$107,671

avg across 61 cities

Overall salary range in New Jersey: $50,601 (lowest entry-level) to $121,992 (highest top earner)

New Jersey vs National Average

New Jersey

$75,401

National Median

$65,415

New Jersey athletic trainers earn 15.27% more than the national median (+$9,986/year difference).

New Jersey Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)

Athletic Trainer salaries in New Jersey range from $57,639 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $107,671 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,401. The New Jersey median is $9,986 above the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $36.25/hr. Approximately 870 athletic trainers are employed across 61 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$61,420

2025 BLS Actual

$72,064

2026 Current Est.

$75,401

2019–2027 Growth

+28.4%

Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in New Jersey (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$61,420	Actual
2020	$72,370	Actual
2021	$58,570	Actual
2022	$61,400	Actual
2023	$72,730	Actual
2024	$75,554	Actual
2025	$72,064	Actual
2026(current)	$75,401	Estimated
2027	$78,892	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 17.3% from $61,420 (2019) to $72,064 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,892 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,472 (28.45%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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 New Jersey

Princeton

6 employed · $40.48/hr

$84,205

+11.68% vs avg

Trenton

50 employed · $39.70/hr

$82,564

+9.50% vs avg

Jersey City

42 employed · $39.14/hr

$81,416

+7.98% vs avg

Newark

61 employed · $38.54/hr

$80,160

+6.31% vs avg

East Orange

9 employed · $36.73/hr

$76,398

+1.32% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Camden	$65,201	-13.53%	$31.35
Summit	$70,227	-6.86%	$33.76
Rahway	$71,288	-5.45%	$34.28
Evesham	$71,602	-5.04%	$34.42
Egg Harbor	$71,708	-4.90%	$34.48

Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in New Jersey

When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Trenton	$82,564	103.18	$80,019
Princeton	$84,205	115.2	$73,095
Jersey City	$81,416	115.2	$70,674
Newark	$80,160	115.2	$69,583
East Orange	$76,398	115.2	$66,318

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$57,639	$27.71	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$75,401	$36.25	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$107,671	$51.76	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 61 Cities in New Jersey

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Princeton	$84,205	$40.48	$66,504	$113,013	6
2	Trenton	$82,564	$39.70	$55,946	$120,398	50
3	Jersey City	$81,416	$39.14	$58,747	$118,035	42
4	Newark	$80,160	$38.54	$56,238	$121,992	61
5	East Orange	$76,398	$36.73	$59,036	$106,537	9
6	Franklin	$76,398	$36.73	$59,036	$106,342	15
7	Woodbridge	$76,376	$36.71	$55,398	$113,223	25
8	Parsippany-Troy Hills	$76,266	$36.66	$56,181	$106,084	8
9	Union	$76,075	$36.58	$57,949	$105,430	15
10	Elizabeth	$76,047	$36.56	$60,305	$112,066	25
11	Brick	$75,890	$36.48	$57,508	$107,566	18
12	Gloucester Township	$75,676	$36.38	$56,996	$104,065	10
13	New Brunswick	$75,645	$36.37	$57,235	$106,529	8
14	Vineland	$75,520	$36.31	$56,937	$103,537	11
15	Howell	$75,395	$36.24	$56,640	$110,459	11
16	Paterson	$75,304	$36.20	$58,865	$109,472	31
17	Plainfield	$75,215	$36.16	$55,908	$110,027	10
18	Irvington	$75,102	$36.11	$55,872	$109,393	10
19	West New York	$74,989	$36.06	$55,606	$104,285	10
20	Piscataway	$74,935	$36.02	$55,555	$109,054	14
21	Jackson	$74,893	$36.00	$55,150	$104,151	10
22	Lakewood	$74,769	$35.95	$57,620	$110,401	31
23	West Orange	$74,726	$35.93	$59,313	$103,282	11
24	Montclair	$74,615	$35.88	$58,723	$100,454	10
25	Washington Township	$74,498	$35.81	$58,434	$102,702	12
26	Old Bridge	$74,469	$35.80	$60,348	$107,255	17
27	Edison	$74,354	$35.75	$56,667	$108,770	20
28	Union City	$74,321	$35.73	$60,066	$106,935	17
29	Toms River	$74,297	$35.72	$60,008	$102,134	17
30	Bridgewater	$74,211	$35.68	$57,730	$99,116	10
31	Middletown	$74,189	$35.67	$59,751	$101,772	15
32	Clifton	$73,963	$35.56	$59,209	$108,408	14
33	South Brunswick	$73,831	$35.49	$57,112	$105,026	7
34	Berkeley	$73,825	$35.49	$56,786	$105,006	7
35	Perth Amboy	$73,813	$35.49	$58,853	$105,200	13
36	Wayne	$73,789	$35.48	$58,796	$105,119	10
37	Linden	$73,778	$35.47	$56,984	$100,117	7
38	Passaic	$73,760	$35.46	$58,726	$107,709	18
39	East Brunswick	$73,732	$35.45	$56,870	$104,507	8
40	Bloomfield	$73,575	$35.38	$58,286	$104,389	11
41	Long Branch	$73,527	$35.35	$56,373	$103,999	8
42	Westfield	$73,322	$35.25	$55,567	$98,793	7
43	Hamilton	$73,246	$35.22	$57,436	$103,079	21
44	Sayreville	$73,222	$35.21	$55,636	$102,796	9
45	Cherry Hill	$73,211	$35.20	$57,126	$103,159	11
46	North Bergen	$73,079	$35.13	$57,116	$102,529	13
47	Hoboken	$73,014	$35.10	$54,758	$102,309	15
48	Kearny	$72,901	$35.05	$60,798	$101,677	11
49	Manalapan	$72,837	$35.02	$60,639	$101,509	8
50	Bayonne	$72,763	$34.98	$56,376	$104,309	16
51	Atlantic City	$72,754	$34.98	$60,436	$96,753	6
52	Manchester	$72,596	$34.90	$59,817	$103,461	9
53	Moorestown	$72,313	$34.77	$58,974	$94,182	4
54	Hackensack	$72,311	$34.77	$59,419	$99,766	8
55	Marlboro	$71,936	$34.58	$58,427	$98,534	9
56	Mount Laurel	$71,884	$34.56	$58,300	$98,362	11
57	Egg Harbor	$71,708	$34.48	$57,949	$97,966	8
58	Evesham	$71,602	$34.42	$57,694	$97,622	12
59	Rahway	$71,288	$34.28	$56,857	$98,896	9
60	Summit	$70,227	$33.76	$59,807	$94,348	5
61	Camden	$65,201	$31.35	$50,601	$93,406	16

More New Jersey Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in New Jersey cities.

Princeton →Trenton →Jersey City →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new athletic trainers.

Princeton →Trenton →Jersey City →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.

Princeton →Trenton →Jersey City →

Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do athletic trainers make in New Jersey in 2026?

The average median athletic trainer salary in New Jersey is $75,401/year across 61 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $65,201 in Camden to $84,205 in Princeton. This makes New Jersey one of the higher-paying states, at 15.27% above the national median of $65,415. The state employs approximately 870 athletic trainers.

What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in New Jersey?

Princeton offers the highest athletic trainer salary in New Jersey at $84,205/year ($40.48/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Princeton ($84,205), Trenton ($82,564), Jersey City ($81,416). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for athletic training services, and competition among employers for licensed athletic trainers.

How does New Jersey athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?

New Jersey's average athletic trainer salary of $75,401 is 15.27% above the national median of $65,415 in 2026. The state employs approximately 870 athletic trainers across 61 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in New Jersey?

Entry-level athletic trainers (10th percentile) in New Jersey earn approximately $57,639/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $50,601 in lower-paying areas to $66,504 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many athletic trainers are employed in New Jersey?

New Jersey employs approximately 870 athletic trainers across 61 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. The smaller workforce means positions may be less competitive but also fewer in number. Demand continues to grow as the athletic training field expands and the population ages.

Which New Jersey city offers the best value for athletic trainers?

When adjusted for cost of living, Trenton offers the highest purchasing power for athletic trainers in New Jersey, with an adjusted salary of $80,019 (nominal: $82,564, CoL index: 103.18). This means your dollar goes 3% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gomez, MS, ATCData verified by David Kim, BS, ATC

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 New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 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 (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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