Athletic Trainer Salary in Cleveland, OH: $64,661 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Cleveland, OH earns a median $64,661/year (≈ $31.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $68,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Cleveland, Ohio, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $64,661 in 2026. This reflects a modest deviation from the national median of $65,415, indicating that while local salaries are competitive, they are slightly below the national average. Earnings for athletic trainers in the area can vary significantly, with the lower tenth percentile earning $52,305, while those in the top tenth percentile can earn as much as $80,973. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrate the evolving landscape of athletic trainer compensation, particularly following the master's transition implemented in 2022. The demand for highly qualified professionals in both traditional and industrial settings further shapes the job market in Cleveland.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,305 | $25.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,470 | $29.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,661 | $31.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,902 | $34.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,973 | $38.93 |
Median Salary Position
1.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,668 (2026 est.). At $64,661, the local median is 1.15% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $64,661/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,276 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -1.15% less |
Athletic Trainers in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $64,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.60% above the Ohio state average of $64,276.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $64,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,845 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,270
2025 BLS Actual
$61,800
2026 Current Est.
$64,661
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,661 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,655 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 22.9% from $50,270 (2019) to $61,800 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,655 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,385 (34.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $52,305 – $61,470 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,470 – $64,661 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,661 – $71,902 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,902 – $80,973 |
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
In the local job market, approximately 430 athletic trainers are currently employed, contributing to a diverse range of potential employers in Cleveland. While the cost of living in the area is below the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 93.923, the relatively lower living expenses can enhance take-home purchasing power. Among the various employers, positions within professional sports teams generally offer the highest compensation compared to high school or collegiate athletic trainer roles. Factors influencing salary disparities include the type of setting, seniority level, and additional responsibilities such as covering evening or weekend events. Those interested in maximizing athletic trainer pay in Cleveland, OH, should consider seeking certification add-ons like CSCS or OCS-AT credentials and exploring industrial settings that often provide higher wage opportunities, thus ensuring a more favorable financial outcome in their careers.
More salary data for Cleveland, 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 $61,800 for athletic trainersin the Cleveland 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