Athletic Trainer Salary in Washington: $69,762 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 49 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $69,762/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,955 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($70,666), Seattle ($69,980), Renton ($68,900).
In 2026, athletic trainers in Washington are projected to earn an average median salary of $69,762, which is approximately 6.6% higher than the national median of $65,415. The highest paying city in the state is Bellevue, with a salary of $73,938, while Vancouver has the lowest at $62,519, creating a salary gap of $11,419. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of sports and athletic programs in urban areas versus more suburban settings. Washington has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that affect job responsibilities and training. The state’s strong emphasis on sports and health, combined with a 4.63% annual growth rate in job openings for athletic trainers, indicates a positive outlook for this profession. With a total of 773 athletic trainers employed across 49 metro areas, cities like Seattle ($73,220), Renton ($72,090), Tacoma ($71,999), and Everett ($71,392) also rank highly in salaries. Overall, the job market for athletic trainers in Washington appears solid, driven by increasing awareness of sports health and evolving athletic programs statewide.
Washington Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $45,638 (lowest entry-level) to $110,563 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington athletic trainers earn 6.65% more than the national median (+$4,347/year difference).
Washington Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Washington range from $52,158 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $99,244 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $69,762. The Washington median is $4,347 above the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $33.54/hr. Approximately 773 athletic trainers are employed across 49 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,501
2025 BLS Actual
$66,675
2026 Current Est.
$69,762
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,501 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,375 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,597 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,534 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,675 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,762 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,992 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 37.5% from $48,501 (2019) to $66,675 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,992 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,491 (50.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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 Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Vancouver | $62,519 |
| Tukwila | $64,938 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $65,038 |
| Covington | $65,952 |
| Kenmore | $65,958 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | $73,938 | 107.4 | $68,844 |
| Renton | $72,090 | 107.4 | $67,123 |
| Tacoma | $71,999 | 107.4 | $67,038 |
| Everett | $71,392 | 107.4 | $66,473 |
| Spokane | $66,702 | 100.346 | $66,472 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,158 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $69,762 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $99,244 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 49 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $73,938 |
| 2 | Seattle | $73,220 |
| 3 | Renton | $72,090 |
| 4 | Tacoma | $71,999 |
| 5 | Everett | $71,392 |
| 6 | Richland | $71,002 |
| 7 | Marysville | $70,858 |
| 8 | Shoreline | $70,467 |
| 9 | Bellingham | $70,195 |
| 10 | Redmond | $70,189 |
| 11 | Kent | $70,131 |
| 12 | Kirkland | $70,017 |
| 13 | Burien | $69,928 |
| 14 | Kennewick | $69,699 |
| 15 | Federal Way | $69,621 |
| 16 | Des Moines | $69,605 |
| 17 | Olympia | $69,585 |
| 18 | Auburn | $69,444 |
| 19 | Lakewood | $69,416 |
| 20 | Issaquah | $69,377 |
| 21 | Lacey | $68,982 |
| 22 | Sammamish | $68,921 |
| 23 | University Place | $68,897 |
| 24 | SeaTac | $68,842 |
| 25 | Tumwater | $68,771 |
| 26 | Pasco | $68,548 |
| 27 | Longview | $68,515 |
| 28 | Mount Vernon | $68,341 |
| 29 | Edmonds | $68,128 |
| 30 | Spokane Valley | $67,985 |
| 31 | Lake Stevens | $67,948 |
| 32 | Lynnwood | $67,905 |
| 33 | Moses Lake | $67,774 |
| 34 | Bothell | $67,725 |
| 35 | Pullman | $67,425 |
| 36 | Puyallup | $67,272 |
| 37 | Ellensburg | $67,020 |
| 38 | Maple Valley | $66,836 |
| 39 | Bremerton | $66,765 |
| 40 | Spokane | $66,702 |
| 41 | Walla Walla | $66,689 |
| 42 | Camas | $66,667 |
| 43 | Wenatchee | $66,613 |
| 44 | Oak Harbor | $66,386 |
| 45 | Kenmore | $65,958 |
| 46 | Covington | $65,952 |
| 47 | Mountlake Terrace | $65,038 |
| 48 | Tukwila | $64,938 |
| 49 | Vancouver | $62,519 |
More Washington Salary Data
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 Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Washington?
How does Washington athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
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How many athletic trainers are employed in Washington?
Which Washington 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 Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 49 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