Athletic Trainer Salary in Akron, OH: $63,123 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Akron, OH earns a median $63,123/year (≈ $30.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Akron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $67,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average annual salary for athletic trainers in Akron, Ohio, is projected to be $63,123, which reflects a slight decline compared to the national median of $65,415. The salary range for these professionals spans from $51,018 at the 10th percentile to $75,920 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, illustrates the dichotomy between traditional sports settings and industrial athletic training roles. Athletic trainers working in industrial environments often command higher salaries than those in high school or collegiate athletics, emphasizing a significant pay gap shaped by the differing structures and expectations of various settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,018 | $24.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,182 | $29.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,123 | $30.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,936 | $32.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,920 | $36.49 |
Median Salary Position
3.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Akron
In Akron, OH, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,902 (2026 est.). At $63,123, the local median is 3.5% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Akron: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Akron Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Akron median: $63,123/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Akron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,280 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -3.50% less |
Athletic Trainers in Akron, OH earn a median of $63,123 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.50% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.80% below the Ohio state average of $64,280.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Akron has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Akron, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,123 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,605 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,940
2025 BLS Actual
$60,330
2026 Current Est.
$63,123
2019–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,123 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,046 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Akron metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 25.8% from $47,940 (2019) to $60,330 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,046 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,106 (37.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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) | $51,018 – $62,182 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,182 – $63,123 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,123 – $67,936 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,936 – $75,920 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Akron
In Akron, the local job market employs around 220 athletic trainers, offering a solid foundation for career opportunities in this field. The cost of living index in the city stands at 93.37, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of athletic trainer salaries. Employers in Akron that provide competitive pay include colleges and universities, especially those with NCAA programs, and industrial health settings such as Toyota and FedEx, which often offer substantial salaries compared to secondary schools. Factors contributing to the salary spectrum include roles such as head versus assistant athletic trainers, contracts that differ in duration, and additional stipends for special events. To maximize earnings, ATs in Akron should seek certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT, consider opportunities within industrial settings, and negotiate for positions that involve year-round contracts or significant responsibilities.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
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 $60,330 for athletic trainersin the Akron 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