Athletic Trainer Salary in Cleveland Heights, OH: $60,982 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Cleveland Heights, OH earns a median $60,982/year (≈ $29.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Cleveland Heights's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $67,235 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cleveland Heights, the athletic trainer salary is projected to reach a median of $60,982 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $65,415. The salary range for athletic trainers in this city varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at about $49,007 and experienced practitioners making as much as $82,989. These figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, reflecting the economic climate in Cleveland Heights. With ongoing changes in educational requirements since the transition to a master's degree as the minimum standard in 2022, new entrants to the field can expect a competitive salary landscape compared to prior years.
About the Cleveland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,007 | $23.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,548 | $26.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,982 | $29.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,356 | $34.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,989 | $39.90 |
Median Salary Position
6.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland Heights
In Cleveland Heights, OH, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,982 (2026 est.). At $60,982, the local median is 6.78% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Heights Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Cleveland Heights median: $60,982/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,259 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -6.78% less |
Athletic Trainers in Cleveland Heights, OH earn a median of $60,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.78% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 5.10% below the Ohio state average of $64,259.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland Heights 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.
Cleveland Heights, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $60,982 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,235 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,157
2025 BLS Actual
$58,283
2026 Current Est.
$60,982
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Cleveland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,157 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,481 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,139 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,191 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,004 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,198 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,283 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,982 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,805 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland Heights metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $45,157 (2019) to $58,283 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,805 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,648 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland Heights 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) | $49,007 – $54,548 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,548 – $60,982 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,982 – $71,356 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,356 – $82,989 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Cleveland Heights
The Cleveland Heights job market currently employs nine athletic trainers, a number that highlights the community's relatively modest demand for these professionals. With a cost of living index at 90.7, the purchasing power of athletic trainers in this region is more favorable than in many areas, despite the slight dip in salaries compared to national figures. Among local employers, high school athletic training positions generally pay less than those in colleges, universities, or industrial settings, where salaries can surpass those in traditional sports roles by 30-50%. Factors influencing pay differences include the setting of employment, specific roles (head athletic trainer versus assistants), and level of certification (such as CSCS or OCS-AT). To maximize compensation, athletic trainers in Cleveland Heights should consider networking with professionals in higher-paying sectors, pursuing specialized certifications, and being open to seasonal or year-round contracts that may offer greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Cleveland Heights, 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 $58,283 for athletic trainersin the Cleveland Heights 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 Cleveland Heights 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