Athletic Trainer Salary in Cincinnati, OH: $64,881 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Cincinnati, OH earns a median $64,881/year (≈ $31.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Cincinnati's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.4), that paycheck buys what $68,031 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cincinnati, OH, the anticipated athletic trainer salary in 2026 is projected at $64,881, which is slightly below the national average of $65,415, indicating a competitive local market. The salary range for this profession varies from $52,461 at the 10th percentile to $81,266 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse settings in which athletic trainers operate, including schools and industrial environments. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrates the impact of whether a trainer works seasonally in educational settings or continuously within industrial contexts, which often offer higher compensation. With the job market showing a positive growth rate of 4.63% annually, opportunities for athletic trainers in Cincinnati remain promising, particularly for those committed to advancing their careers in emerging fields post-2022.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,461 | $25.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,747 | $26.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,881 | $31.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,725 | $33.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,266 | $39.07 |
Median Salary Position
0.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, OH, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,805 (2026 est.). At $64,881, the local median is 0.82% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cincinnati: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cincinnati Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Cincinnati median: $64,881/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cincinnati Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,239 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -0.82% less |
Athletic Trainers in Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $64,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.82% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.00% above the Ohio state average of $64,239.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cincinnati has a cost of living 4.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cincinnati, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $64,881 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,031 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.86% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$49,340
2025 BLS Actual
$62,010
2026 Current Est.
$64,881
2019–2027 Growth
+37.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,881 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,885 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cincinnati metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 25.7% from $49,340 (2019) to $62,010 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,885 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,545 (37.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cincinnati 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) | $52,461 – $55,747 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,747 – $64,881 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,881 – $69,725 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,725 – $81,266 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Cincinnati
The current local job market, with approximately 400 athletic trainers employed in the area, reflects a growing demand for this role across various sectors. Cincinnati's cost of living index of 95.37 suggests that purchasing power is favorable compared to the national average, making the athletic trainer pay in Cincinnati, OH more attractive. Among local employers, those in professional sports leagues tend to provide the highest compensation, followed closely by colleges and universities, while high schools typically pay less. The wage disparity is influenced by factors such as the contract duration—year-round positions generally offer better financial rewards than school-year contracts—as well as roles and responsibilities, where head athletic trainers often earn more than their assistants. Trainers seeking to maximize their pay could benefit from seeking additional certifications, such as the CSCS or OCS-AT, and being open to diverse settings that extend beyond traditional educational environments.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Cincinnati, OH in 2026?
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Cincinnati?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Cincinnati?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in Cincinnati?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 $62,010 for athletic trainersin the Cincinnati 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