Athletic Trainer Salary in Columbus, OH: $64,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Columbus, OH earns a median $64,264/year (≈ $30.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $67,314 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Columbus, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $64,264 in 2026, which positions them slightly below the national median for this occupation at $65,415. The salary range for athletic trainers in the area extends from $52,870 at the lowest 10th percentile to $79,194 at the high end of the spectrum, providing a diverse income potential within the field. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys projected from 2025, highlights the local market's competitiveness. Those considering careers in athletic training in Columbus should weigh the advantages of the various employment types available, notably the trade-off between school-year contracts prevalent in educational settings and year-round positions typically found in industrial or occupational health environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,870 | $25.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,415 | $28.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,264 | $30.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,033 | $34.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,194 | $38.07 |
Median Salary Position
1.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, OH, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,324 (2026 est.). At $64,264, the local median is 1.76% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Columbus median: $64,264/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,415 | -1.76% less |
Athletic Trainers in Columbus, OH earn a median of $64,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.76% lower than the national median of $65,415.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 4.53% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.469 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $64,264 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,314 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,000
2025 BLS Actual
$61,420
2026 Current Est.
$64,264
2019–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,239 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 28.0% from $48,000 (2019) to $61,420 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,239 (40.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $52,870 – $58,415 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,415 – $64,264 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,264 – $71,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,033 – $79,194 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Columbus
Currently, Columbus has 430 athletic trainers employed, indicating a growing demand for professionals in the field. With a cost of living index of 95.469, the take-home purchasing power in Columbus is relatively favorable compared to many urban areas, allowing athletic trainers to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Among employers, those in professional sports and industrial settings often offer the highest compensation, with factors such as experience level, role type, and setting driving the variance in salaries. For example, athletic trainers in positions at professional sports teams typically earn more than their counterparts in high school or college settings. To maximize earning potential in Columbus, aspiring athletic trainers should consider pursuing certifications and seeking roles that require evening or weekend commitments, as these often come with additional stipends. Engaging in continuous learning and professional development through organizations like NATA and BOC can also enhance one’s marketability and pay.
More salary data for Columbus, 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 $61,420 for athletic trainersin the Columbus 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