Athletic Trainer Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $69,464 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $69,464/year (≈ $33.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.1), that paycheck buys what $70,062 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Charlottesville, Virginia, can expect to earn a competitive median annual salary of $69,464 in 2026, reflecting a 6.19% increase over the national median of $65,415. The salary landscape here ranges from $58,844 at the 10th percentile to $84,834 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse market for athletic trainer pay in Charlottesville, VA. This robust financial picture is supported by official estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The strong demand for athletic trainers, especially in industrial settings, contrasts sharply with the lower compensation typically found in traditional sports environments such as high schools, highlighting a significant pay gap based on job setting.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,844 | $28.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,844 | $28.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,464 | $33.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,834 | $40.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,834 | $40.78 |
Median Salary Position
6.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,990 (2026 est.). At $69,464, the local median is 6.19% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlottesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlottesville Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $69,464/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $67,506 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +6.19% more |
Athletic Trainers in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $69,464 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.19% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 2.90% above the Virginia state average of $67,506.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 0.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 99.146 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $69,464 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,062 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.86% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$40,240
2025 BLS Actual
$66,390
2026 Current Est.
$69,464
2019–2027 Growth
+80.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,464 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,680 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 65.0% from $40,240 (2019) to $66,390 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,680 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,440 (80.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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) | $58,844 – $58,844 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,844 – $69,464 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,464 – $84,834 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,834 – $84,834 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Charlottesville
The local job market provides ample opportunities for athletic trainers, with approximately 60 professionals currently employed in the area. While Charlottesville boasts a cost-of-living index of 99.146, slightly below the national average, this means that the take-home purchasing power may be more favorable for local trainers compared to other regions. Notably, salaries tend to be higher for those working in colleges and universities, as well as in industrial and occupational health settings, which often pay more than roles in high school athletic training. Factors driving this salary spread include the distinction between professional and school settings, the type of contract—year-round versus school-year—and the level of certification held, such as CSCS or OCS-AT. For athletic trainers in this market, pursuing higher certifications and seeking roles in industrial health or collegiate athletic programs can be effective strategies for maximizing earning potential in Charlottesville.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Charlottesville, VA in 2026?
Is Charlottesville, VA a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Charlottesville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Charlottesville?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in Charlottesville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $66,390 for athletic trainersin the Charlottesville 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