Athletic Trainer Salary in Morgantown, WV: $54,173 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Morgantown, WV earns a median $54,173/year (≈ $26.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Morgantown's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $62,628 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Morgantown, West Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $54,173, a figure notably lower than the national median of $65,415, showcasing a difference of about 17.19%. Current estimates reveal a salary range from $44,315 at the 10th percentile to $76,423 at the 90th percentile, allowing for a diverse spectrum of compensation based on experience and setting. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, highlight a unique trade-off within the Morgantown job market: many athletic trainers may find themselves split between traditional school-year contracts and year-round roles in industrial settings. With only eight athletic trainers currently employed in the area, this niche market presents both challenges and opportunities for growth within the profession.
About the Morgantown Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,315 | $21.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,034 | $23.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,173 | $26.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,197 | $31.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,423 | $36.75 |
Median Salary Position
17.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morgantown
In Morgantown, WV, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,108 (2026 est.). At $54,173, the local median is 17.19% below the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Morgantown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Morgantown Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Morgantown median: $54,173/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morgantown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $56,607 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -17.19% less |
Athletic Trainers in Morgantown, WV earn a median of $54,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.19% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.30% below the West Virginia state average of $56,607.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morgantown has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morgantown, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $54,173 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,628 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,116
2025 BLS Actual
$51,776
2026 Current Est.
$54,173
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,116 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,292 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,099 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,588 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,975 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,751 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,776 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,173 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,681 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morgantown metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $40,116 (2019) to $51,776 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,681 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,565 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morgantown 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) | $44,315 – $49,034 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,034 – $54,173 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,173 – $65,197 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,197 – $76,423 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Morgantown
In analyzing athletic trainer pay in Morgantown, it's crucial to consider the area’s cost of living index, which stands at 86.5, indicating a lower-than-average expense for goods and services. This enhances the purchasing power of local salaries, making even modest earnings stretch further. Among various employers, college and university positions often offer competitive compensation, particularly with NCAA affiliations, while professional sports teams and industrial settings like those found at Toyota or FedEx generally pay more in comparison. Factors influencing the salary range include the setting of employment, with professional venues usually commanding higher pay than educational institutions. Maximizing potential earnings in Morgantown may involve pursuing advanced certifications like the CSCS or seeking head athletic trainer roles over assistant positions, especially those willing to take on additional responsibilities such as managing evening and weekend events. Understanding these dynamics is key to navigating the local job market effectively.
More salary data for Morgantown, 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 $51,776 for athletic trainersin the Morgantown 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
Salary data for Morgantown is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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