Athletic Trainer Salary in Lakewood, OH: $63,939 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Lakewood, OH earns a median $63,939/year (≈ $30.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $70,495 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Lakewood, OH is projected to be a median of $63,939, which is slightly below the national median of $65,415. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $47,461 (P10) and experienced trainers earning up to $93,123 (P90). These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for cost of living factors. Athletic trainers in Lakewood typically face a trade-off between working in school-year roles versus year-round positions found in industrial settings. This choice directly impacts overall earnings, as year-round contracts often provide greater financial stability and opportunities for additional income.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,461 | $22.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,544 | $26.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,939 | $30.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,578 | $36.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,123 | $44.77 |
Median Salary Position
2.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, OH, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,662 (2026 est.). At $63,939, the local median is 2.26% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $63,939/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,261 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -2.26% less |
Athletic Trainers in Lakewood, OH earn a median of $63,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.26% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.50% below the Ohio state average of $64,261.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood 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.
Lakewood, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,939 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,495 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,348
2025 BLS Actual
$61,110
2026 Current Est.
$63,939
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,348 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,736 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,328 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,626 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,624 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,536 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,939 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,900 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $47,348 (2019) to $61,110 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,900 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,552 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $47,461 – $54,544 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,544 – $63,939 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,939 – $75,578 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,578 – $93,123 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Lakewood
The local job market in Lakewood includes just 11 athletic trainers, indicating a relatively small but stable pool for employment opportunities. The area's cost of living index stands at 90.7, offering a slightly lower cost of living compared to the national average. This can enhance take-home purchasing power for those in the field. In terms of compensation, roles in professional sports or industrial health settings tend to pay more compared to high school athletic training or college positions. Variability in pay is influenced by several factors, including whether the role is a head athletic trainer or an assistant, as well as the inclusion of stipends for events outside regular hours. For those looking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Lakewood, pursuing additional certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT may provide a competitive edge, especially as the field shifts towards needing advanced degrees post-2022.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $61,110 for athletic trainersin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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