Athletic Trainer Salary in Huntington, WV: $67,340 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Huntington, WV earns a median $67,340/year (≈ $32.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Huntington's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $76,158 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.0% above the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Huntington, WV, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $67,340, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $65,415. This salary data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, showcases a salary range that varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $48,370 and experienced trainers potentially commanding up to $86,299. As Huntington continues to develop its educational institutions and sports programs, opportunities within high schools, colleges, and even industrial settings suggest potential for growth. The distinction between school-year contracts typically seen in educational settings and year-round contracts found in industrial roles presents unique options for athletic trainers in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,370 | $23.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,141 | $28.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,340 | $32.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,164 | $40.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,299 | $41.49 |
Median Salary Position
2.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntington
In Huntington, WV, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,929 (2026 est.). At $67,340, the local median is 2.94% above the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Huntington: You'd be above the median
How Huntington Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Huntington median: $67,340/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $56,588 | +19.00% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +2.94% more |
Athletic Trainers in Huntington, WV earn a median of $67,340 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.94% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 19.00% above the West Virginia state average of $56,588.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntington has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntington, WV has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $67,340 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,158 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,866
2025 BLS Actual
$64,360
2026 Current Est.
$67,340
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,866 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,327 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,340 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,458 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntington metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $49,866 (2019) to $64,360 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,458 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,592 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington 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) | $48,370 – $60,141 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,141 – $67,340 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,340 – $84,164 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,164 – $86,299 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Huntington
The local job market in Huntington encompasses approximately 70 athletic trainers, indicating a relatively stable demand for professionals in the field. The cost of living index stands at 88.422, which is lower than the national average, meaning that athletic trainer pay in Huntington, WV, allows for decent purchasing power despite varying salary levels. Athletic trainers working in collegiate settings or industrial health environments often find higher compensation compared to their peers in high school athletic training roles. Factors contributing to the salary differences include job settings, additional responsibilities for head athletic trainers versus assistants, and potential stipends for attending evening or weekend events. To maximize earnings, trainers should consider obtaining certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT, while seeking positions that offer year-round contracts, potentially in the industrial sector, which have been shown to yield significantly higher salaries.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
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 $64,360 for athletic trainersin the Huntington 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, 5-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