Athletic Trainer Salary in Altoona, PA: $59,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Altoona, PA earns a median $59,850/year (≈ $28.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $61,448 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainer salaries in Altoona, Pennsylvania are projected to reach a median of $59,850, which represents a notable difference compared to the national median of $65,415. The sector's salary range extends from $49,401 at the 10th percentile to $82,909 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse roles that athletic trainers may undertake in this locality. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 while considering regional living costs. In Altoona, the job market is shaped significantly by the industrial athletic training setting, often offering higher compensation packages than traditional school athletic training roles. This divergence in pay underscores the differences in employment settings, with industrial positions usually paying between 30-50% more than those in educational institutions.
About the Altoona Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,401 | $23.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,227 | $25.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,850 | $28.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,056 | $34.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,909 | $39.86 |
Median Salary Position
8.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,508 (2026 est.). At $59,850, the local median is 8.51% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Altoona Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Altoona median: $59,850/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $62,215 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -8.51% less |
Athletic Trainers in Altoona, PA earn a median of $59,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.51% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $62,215.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $59,850 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,448 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,320
2025 BLS Actual
$57,202
2026 Current Est.
$59,850
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,619 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,301 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,002 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,365 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,202 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,622 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $44,320 (2019) to $57,202 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,622 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,302 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $49,401 – $53,227 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,227 – $59,850 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,850 – $71,056 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,056 – $82,909 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Altoona
At present, Altoona employs a modest number of athletic trainers, totaling just nine professionals, indicating a niche job market. With a cost of living index of 97.4, living expenses are slightly below the national average, which can affect the effective purchasing power of salaries earned in this area. Among potential employers, industrial and occupational health facilities—such as those operated by Toyota and FedEx—are often the most lucrative, surpassing what high schools and colleges can offer. The discrepancies in compensation can arise from various factors, including the type of institution, contract duration, and additional responsibilities from event management. To maximize pay, athletic trainers in Altoona might consider pursuing further certifications, such as the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and seeking full-time, year-round contracts that include stipends for weekend events.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
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 $57,202 for athletic trainersin the Altoona 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 Altoona 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