Athletic Trainer Salary in Dayton, OH: $66,430 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Dayton, OH earns a median $66,430/year (≈ $31.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $71,666 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Dayton, OH, can expect a median annual salary of $66,430 based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The pay range for these professionals spans from $56,071 at the 10th percentile to $74,549 at the 90th percentile. This reflects the varying dynamics between school-year contracts offered in educational settings and year-round positions in industrial environments. Notably, this compensation places Dayton slightly above the national median salary of $65,415 for athletic trainers. This trend indicates a stable job market for athletic trainers in Dayton, where demand for qualified professionals continues to rise within both academic and industrial frameworks.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,071 | $26.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,826 | $29.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,430 | $31.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,418 | $32.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,549 | $35.84 |
Median Salary Position
1.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,478 (2026 est.). At $66,430, the local median is 1.55% above the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be above the median
How Dayton Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Dayton median: $66,430/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,245 | +3.40% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +1.55% more |
Athletic Trainers in Dayton, OH earn a median of $66,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.55% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 3.40% above the Ohio state average of $64,245.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $66,430 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,666 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,370
2025 BLS Actual
$63,490
2026 Current Est.
$66,430
2019–2027 Growth
+49.9%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,430 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,505 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 36.9% from $46,370 (2019) to $63,490 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,505 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,135 (49.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $56,071 – $61,826 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,826 – $66,430 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,430 – $68,418 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,418 – $74,549 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Dayton
With 150 athletic trainers currently employed in the area, Dayton offers a competitive landscape for professionals in this field. The local cost of living index stands at 92.694, reflecting a more affordable environment compared to national averages, which can enhance the purchasing power of athletic trainer pay in Dayton, OH. Among the highest-paying employers are colleges and universities, particularly NCAA institutions, alongside professional sports teams which typically offer superior salaries compared to high school athletic training positions. Factors that influence pay differences include the setting of employment—industrial applications often yield higher salaries—certification levels, and whether the role is that of a head athletic trainer versus an assistant. Aspiring athletic trainers looking to maximize their earnings might consider pursuing certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT, gaining experience in varied settings, or seeking roles that include stipends for evening and weekend events to boost their income further.
More salary data for Dayton, 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 $63,490 for athletic trainersin the Dayton 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