Athletic Trainer Salary in Pennsylvania: $63,604 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $63,604/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,302 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: York ($68,150), Bethlehem ($63,869), Philadelphia ($63,840).
In Pennsylvania, the average median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is projected to be $63,604, slightly below the national median of $65,415, creating a gap of 2.8%. There is significant variability within the state; the highest paying city is York at $71,305, while the lowest is Erie at $57,703, reflecting a difference of $13,602. This wage disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, the demand for athletic trainers in specific metropolitan areas, and the availability of jobs. The job market for athletic trainers in Pennsylvania is expected to see a strong growth rate of 4.63% annually, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. Key demand drivers include rising health awareness and the increasing emphasis on sports medicine and injury prevention. Pennsylvania has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence job prospects and salary levels. With a total of 1,823 athletic trainers expected to be employed in the state, cities like Bethlehem, Philadelphia, Allentown, and Easton are also projected to offer competitive salaries, with figures such as $66,826 and $66,796, respectively. This diverse landscape provides various opportunities for athletic trainers across Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $43,401 (lowest entry-level) to $114,633 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania athletic trainers earn 2.77% less than the national median ($-1,811/year difference).
Pennsylvania Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Pennsylvania range from $53,065 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $88,408 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,604. The Pennsylvania median is $1,811 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $30.58/hr. Approximately 1,823 athletic trainers are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,698
2025 BLS Actual
$60,789
2026 Current Est.
$63,604
2019–2027 Growth
+42.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,698 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,679 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,348 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,859 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,492 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,789 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,604 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,549 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 30.2% from $46,698 (2019) to $60,789 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,549 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,851 (42.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Erie | $57,703 |
| West Chester | $58,225 |
| Pottstown | $58,655 |
| Harrisburg | $58,833 |
| Pittsburgh | $59,126 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| York | $71,305 | 96 | $74,276 |
| Bethlehem | $66,826 | 97.4 | $68,610 |
| Easton | $64,117 | 97.4 | $65,829 |
| Allentown | $65,237 | 99.968 | $65,258 |
| Philadelphia | $66,796 | 102.554 | $65,133 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,065 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $63,604 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $88,408 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | York | $71,305 |
| 2 | Bethlehem | $66,826 |
| 3 | Philadelphia | $66,796 |
| 4 | Allentown | $65,237 |
| 5 | Easton | $64,117 |
| 6 | Scranton | $62,859 |
| 7 | Reading | $62,715 |
| 8 | Lancaster | $61,669 |
| 9 | Williamsport | $61,607 |
| 10 | Lebanon | $61,274 |
| 11 | Wilkes-Barre | $61,202 |
| 12 | Hazleton | $60,353 |
| 13 | Norristown | $60,237 |
| 14 | Chester | $60,097 |
| 15 | Altoona | $59,850 |
| 16 | New Castle | $59,501 |
| 17 | Chambersburg | $59,469 |
| 18 | State College | $59,305 |
| 19 | Johnstown | $59,127 |
| 20 | Pittsburgh | $59,126 |
| 21 | Harrisburg | $58,833 |
| 22 | Pottstown | $58,655 |
| 23 | West Chester | $58,225 |
| 24 | Erie | $57,703 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Pennsylvania?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 athletic trainer compensation across Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more athletic trainerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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