Athletic Trainer Salary in Erie, PA: $57,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Erie, PA earns a median $57,703/year (≈ $27.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $63,445 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the salary picture for athletic trainers in Erie, Pennsylvania, reflects significant changes brought about by the master's transition established in 2022. With a median annual salary of $57,703, athletic trainers in this region earn roughly 11.79% less than the national median of $65,415. The salary range varies considerably, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $52,064 and the highest 90% achieving salaries up to $81,904. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlights the economic landscape for those looking to pursue a career in athletic training amid the evolving education requirements.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,064 | $25.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,131 | $25.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,703 | $27.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,573 | $30.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,904 | $39.37 |
Median Salary Position
11.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,840 (2026 est.). At $57,703, the local median is 11.79% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Erie Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Erie median: $57,703/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $62,180 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -11.79% less |
Athletic Trainers in Erie, PA earn a median of $57,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.79% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $62,180.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,703 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,445 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,610
2025 BLS Actual
$55,150
2026 Current Est.
$57,703
2019–2027 Growth
+29.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,712 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,493 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,375 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 18.3% from $46,610 (2019) to $55,150 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,375 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,765 (29.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $52,064 – $53,131 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,131 – $57,703 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,703 – $63,573 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,573 – $81,904 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Erie
The job market for athletic trainers in Erie appears stable, with approximately 50 professionals currently employed in the sector. The local cost of living index, sitting at 90.95, indicates affordability, which positively influences take-home pay and purchasing power for trainers in the area. In terms of compensation, colleges and universities, along with professional sports teams, often offer the most lucrative salaries compared to roles in secondary schools and outpatient clinics. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to various factors, including employment setting and responsibilities such as head athletic trainer versus assistant roles, seasonal versus year-round contracts, and potential stipends for evening or weekend events. For those seeking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Erie, pursuing certifications such as the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) or focusing on higher-demand settings like industrial health can lead to better financial outcomes. Understanding these dynamics can be crucial for anyone entering the profession.
More salary data for Erie, 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 $55,150 for athletic trainersin the Erie 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, 5-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