Athletic Trainer Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $59,126 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $59,126/year (≈ $28.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $62,454 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Pittsburgh is projected to reach $59,126, placing it approximately 9.61% below the national median of $65,415. Athletic trainers in this region can expect a salary range from $43,401 at the lower end to $77,217 for those in higher-paying positions. This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which indicates a steady demand for athletic trainers not only in traditional school settings but also in competitive industries such as professional sports and occupational health. The trade-off between contracts in school-year environments and year-round positions highlights the financial nuances that professionals in Pittsburgh face.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,401 | $20.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,401 | $20.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,126 | $28.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,841 | $30.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,217 | $37.12 |
Median Salary Position
9.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,816 (2026 est.). At $59,126, the local median is 9.61% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pittsburgh Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $59,126/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $62,173 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -9.61% less |
Athletic Trainers in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $59,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.61% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.90% below the Pennsylvania state average of $62,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh has a cost of living 5.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 94.671 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $59,126 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,454 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.63% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,910
2025 BLS Actual
$56,510
2026 Current Est.
$59,126
2019–2027 Growth
+44.2%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,126 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 31.7% from $42,910 (2019) to $56,510 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,954 (44.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $43,401 – $43,401 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,401 – $59,126 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,126 – $62,841 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,841 – $77,217 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Pittsburgh
Within Pittsburgh, approximately 400 athletic trainers serve a diverse array of employers, such as secondary schools, colleges, universities, and professional sports teams. The cost of living index of 94.671 suggests that take-home pay retains stronger purchasing power than in many major cities. In particular, roles with professional sports teams typically command the highest salaries, while positions in schools may offer more time-centric contracts, reflecting a fundamental trade-off for many athletic trainers. Factors such as advanced certifications, role differences like head versus assistant athletic trainers, and stipends for evening or weekend events can drive disparities in pay within the region. For those entering the field, understanding which sectors provide the best compensation and successfully negotiating role-specific benefits can significantly enhance their overall income.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, 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 $56,510 for athletic trainersin the Pittsburgh 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