Athletic Trainer Salary in Wayne, NJ: $73,789 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Wayne, NJ earns a median $73,789/year (≈ $35.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Wayne's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $64,053 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wayne, New Jersey, athletic trainers earn a median annual salary of $73,789, reflecting a robust employment landscape for this profession. The compensation extends across a range of $58,796 at the lower end (P10) to $105,119 at the high end (P90). These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight a competitive local market, particularly when compared to the national median salary of $65,415. The differences in compensation can largely be attributed to the structural choices within the field—athletic trainers who work in industrial settings often earn significantly more than those in traditional educational roles. As such, understanding the nuances of employment within Wayne can provide strategic advantages for professionals in this sector.
About the Wayne Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,796 | $28.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,348 | $30.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,789 | $35.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,624 | $42.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,119 | $50.54 |
Median Salary Position
12.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wayne
In Wayne, NJ, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,323 (2026 est.). At $73,789, the local median is 12.8% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wayne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wayne Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Wayne median: $73,789/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $75,372 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +12.80% more |
Athletic Trainers in Wayne, NJ earn a median of $73,789 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.80% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $75,372.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wayne has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wayne, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,789 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,053 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,641
2025 BLS Actual
$70,524
2026 Current Est.
$73,789
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,641 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,243 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,619 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,733 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,346 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,524 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,789 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,206 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wayne metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $54,641 (2019) to $70,524 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,206 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,565 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wayne 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) | $58,796 – $64,348 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,348 – $73,789 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,789 – $88,624 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,624 – $105,119 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Wayne
The job market in Wayne is characterized by the presence of just 10 athletic trainers, an indicator of both niche opportunity and competition. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, it's essential for trainers to consider how this affects their overall purchasing power. Employers such as secondary schools, colleges, and outpatient clinics form the bulk of the market, but those in industrial settings may find significantly higher salaries. The pay differences are influenced by various factors including the setting of employment, contract type, and additional responsibilities or certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT. To maximize earnings, aspiring athletic trainers in Wayne should focus on pursuing opportunities in industrial health or consider roles that provide year-round contracts and stipends for extra duties, all of which enhance earning potential in the evolving athletic training field.
More salary data for Wayne, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Wayne, NJ in 2026?
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Can athletic trainers make $100K in Wayne?
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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 $70,524 for athletic trainersin the Wayne 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
Salary data for Wayne is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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