Athletic Trainer Salary in Ohio: $64,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $64,003/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,566 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Beavercreek ($63,589), Dayton ($63,490), Kettering ($62,634).
As of 2026, athletic trainers in Ohio earn an average median salary of $64,003, which is slightly below the national median of $65,415. This represents a gap of 2.2% compared to the national average. The disparity in salaries across various cities within the state can be significant; for example, the highest paying city, Beavercreek, has an average salary of $66,533, while Solon ranks as the lowest with $59,062, creating a difference of $7,471. Factors influencing these variations include the cost of living, demand for athletic trainers, and the presence of professional sports teams or educational institutions in specific areas. Ohio requires athletic trainers to hold state licensure, and practitioners must adhere to state scope of practice laws, which can influence job roles and expectations. The job market for athletic trainers in Ohio is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.63%, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. The current employment level stands at 2,224 athletic trainers, with top cities for job opportunities including Beavercreek, Dayton at $66,430, Kettering at $65,534, Lorain at $64,957, and Cincinnati at $64,881. This growth trend and regional salary differences reflect a dynamic and evolving job landscape for athletic trainers in the state.
Ohio Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Ohio: $47,170 (lowest entry-level) to $95,414 (highest top earner)
Ohio vs National Average
Ohio athletic trainers earn 2.16% less than the national median ($-1,412/year difference).
Ohio Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Ohio range from $51,957 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,654 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,003. The Ohio median is $1,412 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $30.77/hr. Approximately 2,224 athletic trainers are employed across 67 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,029
2025 BLS Actual
$61,171
2026 Current Est.
$64,003
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Ohio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,029 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,813 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,877 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,925 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,055 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,119 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,171 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,967 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 24.8% from $49,029 (2019) to $61,171 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,967 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,938 (36.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ohio 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 Ohio
Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Solon | $59,062 |
| Centerville | $59,072 |
| Avon Lake | $59,202 |
| Wadsworth | $59,246 |
| Tiffin | $59,294 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Ohio
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Ohio cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beavercreek | $66,533 | 90.7 | $73,355 |
| Kettering | $65,534 | 90.7 | $72,254 |
| Dayton | $66,430 | 92.694 | $71,666 |
| Lorain | $64,957 | 90.7 | $71,617 |
| Springfield | $64,835 | 90.7 | $71,483 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Ohio
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $51,957 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,003 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,654 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Ohio metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 67 Cities in Ohio
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beavercreek | $66,533 |
| 2 | Dayton | $66,430 |
| 3 | Kettering | $65,534 |
| 4 | Lorain | $64,957 |
| 5 | Cincinnati | $64,881 |
| 6 | Springfield | $64,835 |
| 7 | Parma | $64,779 |
| 8 | Cleveland | $64,661 |
| 9 | Cuyahoga Falls | $64,515 |
| 10 | Hamilton | $64,290 |
| 11 | Columbus | $64,264 |
| 12 | Lakewood | $63,939 |
| 13 | Sandusky | $63,864 |
| 14 | Bowling Green | $63,855 |
| 15 | Lancaster | $63,835 |
| 16 | Zanesville | $63,830 |
| 17 | Westlake | $63,720 |
| 18 | Toledo | $63,709 |
| 19 | Middletown | $63,695 |
| 20 | Grove City | $63,510 |
| 21 | Delaware | $63,460 |
| 22 | Gahanna | $63,451 |
| 23 | Westerville | $63,411 |
| 24 | Huber Heights | $63,261 |
| 25 | Lima | $63,216 |
| 26 | North Ridgeville | $63,211 |
| 27 | Akron | $63,123 |
| 28 | North Royalton | $63,121 |
| 29 | North Olmsted | $62,897 |
| 30 | Reynoldsburg | $62,787 |
| 31 | Youngstown | $62,657 |
| 32 | Strongsville | $62,578 |
| 33 | Mansfield | $62,513 |
| 34 | Warren | $62,488 |
| 35 | Brunswick | $62,189 |
| 36 | Wooster | $62,189 |
| 37 | Elyria | $62,092 |
| 38 | Shaker Heights | $61,966 |
| 39 | Medina | $61,924 |
| 40 | Dublin | $61,725 |
| 41 | Fairfield | $61,720 |
| 42 | Mentor | $61,655 |
| 43 | Mason | $61,385 |
| 44 | Avon | $61,309 |
| 45 | Marion | $61,216 |
| 46 | Stow | $61,212 |
| 47 | Newark | $61,176 |
| 48 | Findlay | $61,111 |
| 49 | Green | $61,017 |
| 50 | Barberton | $61,017 |
| 51 | Austintown | $60,992 |
| 52 | Cleveland Heights | $60,982 |
| 53 | Upper Arlington | $60,902 |
| 54 | Xenia | $60,902 |
| 55 | Hilliard | $60,828 |
| 56 | Canton | $60,738 |
| 57 | Oxford | $60,637 |
| 58 | Chillicothe | $60,506 |
| 59 | Perrysburg | $60,285 |
| 60 | Trotwood | $60,266 |
| 61 | Massillon | $59,914 |
| 62 | Athens | $59,628 |
| 63 | Tiffin | $59,294 |
| 64 | Wadsworth | $59,246 |
| 65 | Avon Lake | $59,202 |
| 66 | Centerville | $59,072 |
| 67 | Solon | $59,062 |
More Ohio Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Ohio
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Ohio in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Ohio?
How does Ohio athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Ohio?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Ohio?
Which Ohio 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 Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 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