Athletic Trainer Salary in Westerly, RI: $61,395 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Westerly, RI earns a median $61,395/year (≈ $29.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Westerly's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $61,090 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, athletic trainers in Westerly, Rhode Island, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,395, reflecting the challenges and changes in the profession following the 2022 transition to a master's degree requirement. The salary range for these professionals spans from $52,435 at the 10th percentile to $82,537 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price parities. When looking at the local job market, it's essential to consider the impact of this educational shift on compensation, particularly as the demand for qualified athletic trainers continues to grow, presenting unique opportunities in a competitive environment like Westerly.
About the Westerly Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,435 | $25.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,942 | $27.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,395 | $29.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,560 | $33.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,537 | $39.69 |
Median Salary Position
6.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westerly
In Westerly, RI, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,102 (2026 est.). At $61,395, the local median is 6.15% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westerly: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Westerly Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Westerly median: $61,395/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westerly Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $65,733 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -6.15% less |
Athletic Trainers in Westerly, RI earn a median of $61,395 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 6.60% below the Rhode Island state average of $65,733.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westerly has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Westerly, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,395 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,090 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,463
2025 BLS Actual
$58,678
2026 Current Est.
$61,395
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Westerly (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,463 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,796 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,444 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,531 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,678 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,395 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,237 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westerly metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $45,463 (2019) to $58,678 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,237 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,774 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westerly 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) | $52,435 – $56,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,942 – $61,395 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,395 – $69,560 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,560 – $82,537 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Westerly
Analyzing the local job market further, there are currently five athletic trainers employed in Westerly, which speaks to a relatively niche but established community. With a cost-of-living index of 100.5, take-home pay for athletic trainers can be stretched further compared to the national average, though it's slightly higher than the baseline. Among local employers, those in industrial settings, such as Toyota and FedEx, tend to offer the highest pay, often outpacing roles at high schools and colleges. The variance in compensation can be attributed to factors such as the setting (with professional sports at the top), contract duration, level of responsibility (head vs. assistant roles), and additional certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT, which can significantly boost earning potential. To maximize athletic trainer pay in Westerly RI, candidates should aim for positions in industrial health, seek advanced certifications, and be prepared to take on responsibilities that can command higher stipends for out-of-hours responsibilities.
More salary data for Westerly, RI:
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 $58,678 for athletic trainersin the Westerly 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 Westerly 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