Athletic Trainer Salary in Vermont: $65,938 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Vermont's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $65,938/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Vermont sits at BEA RPP 103.5 (4% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,708 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: South Burlington ($64,536), Burlington ($64,210), Bennington ($62,006).
In 2026, athletic trainers in Vermont can expect an average median salary of $65,938, slightly above the national median of $65,415, reflecting a positive variance of 0.8%. The highest salaries are found in South Burlington at $67,524, while Montpelier offers the lowest at $62,356, resulting in a salary gap of $5,168. This difference is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of sports programs in urban areas like South Burlington compared to smaller cities. Vermont has specific state licensing requirements for athletic trainers, which include passing the Board of Certification exam. The scope of practice laws allow athletic trainers to work in schools, clinics, and sports teams, enhancing job prospects. With a projected growth rate of 4.63%, the job market for athletic trainers in the state appears promising, driven by increasing awareness of sports safety and rehabilitation needs. Among the top cities for athletic trainer salaries, Burlington follows South Burlington closely at $67,183, with Bennington at $64,877, Brattleboro at $64,143, and Essex Junction at $64,005. The demand for qualified professionals remains strong, suggesting a favorable outlook for those entering the field in Vermont.
Vermont Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Vermont: $50,406 (lowest entry-level) to $92,453 (highest top earner)
Vermont vs National Average
Vermont athletic trainers earn 0.80% more than the national median (+$523/year difference).
Vermont Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Vermont range from $55,857 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $85,877 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,938. The Vermont median is $523 above the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $31.70/hr. Approximately 100 athletic trainers are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,240
2025 BLS Actual
$63,020
2026 Current Est.
$65,938
2019–2027 Growth
+37.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Vermont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,271 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,725 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,938 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,991 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermont metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 25.4% from $50,240 (2019) to $63,020 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,991 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,751 (37.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermont 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 Vermont
Lowest Paying Cities in Vermont
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Montpelier | $62,356 |
| Colchester | $62,672 |
| Rutland | $62,743 |
| Barre | $63,920 |
| Essex Junction | $64,005 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Vermont
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Vermont cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $67,183 | 100.949 | $66,551 |
| South Burlington | $67,524 | 103.5 | $65,241 |
| Bennington | $64,877 | 103.5 | $62,683 |
| Brattleboro | $64,143 | 103.5 | $61,974 |
| Essex Junction | $64,005 | 103.5 | $61,841 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Vermont
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $55,857 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,938 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $85,877 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Vermont metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 9 Cities in Vermont
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Burlington | $67,524 |
| 2 | Burlington | $67,183 |
| 3 | Bennington | $64,877 |
| 4 | Brattleboro | $64,143 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | $64,005 |
| 6 | Barre | $63,920 |
| 7 | Rutland | $62,743 |
| 8 | Colchester | $62,672 |
| 9 | Montpelier | $62,356 |
More Vermont Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in Vermont cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Vermont in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Vermont?
How does Vermont athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Vermont?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Vermont?
Which Vermont 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 Vermont. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 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, 6-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