Athletic Trainer Salary in Athens, OH: $59,628 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Athens, OH earns a median $59,628/year (≈ $28.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Athens's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $65,742 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athens, Ohio, offers a competitive environment for athletic trainers, with a projected median annual salary of $59,628 in 2026. This figure falls short of the national median of $65,415, revealing a pay gap that can be attributed to Athens’s industrial versus traditional sports settings. The salary range for athletic trainers in the city spans from $48,491 at the P10 level to $79,623 at the P90 level, indicating a diverse landscape of earning potential within the profession. The figures presented are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, reinforcing the importance of understanding local market conditions as you assess the job outlook for athletic trainers in Athens.
About the Athens Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,491 | $23.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,485 | $25.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,628 | $28.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,294 | $33.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,623 | $38.28 |
Median Salary Position
8.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, OH, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,132 (2026 est.). At $59,628, the local median is 8.85% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Athens Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Athens median: $59,628/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,254 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -8.85% less |
Athletic Trainers in Athens, OH earn a median of $59,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.85% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.20% below the Ohio state average of $64,254.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $59,628 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,742 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,155
2025 BLS Actual
$56,989
2026 Current Est.
$59,628
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,155 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,449 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,136 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,077 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,805 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,128 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,989 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,628 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,388 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $44,155 (2019) to $56,989 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,388 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,233 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $48,491 – $53,485 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,485 – $59,628 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,628 – $69,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,294 – $79,623 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Athens
With only five athletic trainers currently employed in the area, the job market remains relatively small, but the cost of living index in Athens stands at 90.7, suggesting that the purchasing power for salaries is relatively favorable compared to national averages. Among the employment settings in Athens, industrial health roles—such as those offered by companies like Toyota—tend to provide higher compensation than positions in local secondary schools or universities. Various factors influence the salary spread, including the nature of contracts (school-year versus year-round), levels of certification, and responsibilities tied to head versus assistant roles. For those seeking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Athens, enhancing qualifications through additional certifications, pursuing positions in industrial wellness environments, or gaining experience in high-demand sports settings can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Athens, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Athens, OH in 2026?
Is Athens, OH a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Athens?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Athens?
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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 $56,989 for athletic trainersin the Athens 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 Athens 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