Athletic Trainer Salary in Virginia: $65,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $65,639/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,604 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($74,754), Charlottesville ($66,390), Newport News ($65,023).
In Virginia, the average median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is projected to be $65,639, slightly above the national median of $65,415, marking a difference of 0.3%. The highest-paying city for this profession is Alexandria, with an average salary of $78,215, while Falls Church is at the lower end with $62,248, indicating a salary gap of $15,967. This disparity is largely driven by the cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in certain areas. Virginia's state-specific factors include licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence job security and salary levels. The demand for athletic trainers continues to grow, supported by an annual compound growth rate of 4.63%, which reflects the increased recognition of the role in various health and athletic settings. In terms of employment, Virginia has a total of 964 athletic trainers, with strong projections in key cities such as Charlottesville at $69,464, Newport News at $68,034, Hampton at $67,433, and Centreville at $67,119. This growth stems from an expanding awareness of sports-related injuries and the importance of preventative care, enhancing the job market for athletic trainers across the state.
Virginia Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $45,614 (lowest entry-level) to $113,844 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia athletic trainers earn 0.34% more than the national median (+$224/year difference).
Virginia Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Virginia range from $52,216 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,864 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,639. The Virginia median is $224 above the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $31.56/hr. Approximately 964 athletic trainers are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,959
2025 BLS Actual
$62,734
2026 Current Est.
$65,639
2019–2027 Growth
+49.4%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,959 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,675 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,111 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,086 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,885 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,551 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,734 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,678 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 36.5% from $45,959 (2019) to $62,734 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,678 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,719 (49.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Falls Church | $62,248 |
| Richmond | $63,165 |
| Herndon | $63,237 |
| Williamsburg | $63,928 |
| Winchester | $63,956 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $78,215 | 103.2 | $75,790 |
| Charlottesville | $69,464 | 99.146 | $70,062 |
| Harrisonburg | $66,158 | 94.892 | $69,719 |
| Newport News | $68,034 | 103.2 | $65,924 |
| Virginia Beach | $64,431 | 97.941 | $65,786 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,216 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,639 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,864 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $78,215 |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $69,464 |
| 3 | Newport News | $68,034 |
| 4 | Hampton | $67,433 |
| 5 | Centreville | $67,119 |
| 6 | Blacksburg | $66,953 |
| 7 | Roanoke | $66,932 |
| 8 | Lynchburg | $66,927 |
| 9 | Burke | $66,664 |
| 10 | Suffolk | $66,376 |
| 11 | Tuckahoe | $66,188 |
| 12 | Harrisonburg | $66,158 |
| 13 | Ashburn | $66,093 |
| 14 | McLean | $66,088 |
| 15 | Reston | $66,018 |
| 16 | Danville | $66,005 |
| 17 | Fredericksburg | $65,721 |
| 18 | Dale City | $65,708 |
| 19 | Manassas | $65,638 |
| 20 | Salem | $65,454 |
| 21 | Norfolk | $65,393 |
| 22 | Leesburg | $65,360 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | $65,323 |
| 24 | Mechanicsville | $65,219 |
| 25 | Springfield | $64,988 |
| 26 | Bristol | $64,918 |
| 27 | Woodbridge | $64,899 |
| 28 | Sterling | $64,773 |
| 29 | Staunton | $64,726 |
| 30 | Lake Ridge | $64,690 |
| 31 | Chesapeake | $64,681 |
| 32 | Linton Hall | $64,616 |
| 33 | Radford | $64,567 |
| 34 | Fairfax | $64,450 |
| 35 | Virginia Beach | $64,431 |
| 36 | Waynesboro | $64,135 |
| 37 | Annandale | $64,050 |
| 38 | Winchester | $63,956 |
| 39 | Williamsburg | $63,928 |
| 40 | Herndon | $63,237 |
| 41 | Richmond | $63,165 |
| 42 | Falls Church | $62,248 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Virginia
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Virginia?
How does Virginia athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Virginia?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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, 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