Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.
Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.
Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.
Perform general administrative tasks, such as keeping records or writing reports.
Top skills:Active ListeningSpeakingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingSocial Perceptiveness
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Athletic Trainer pay by experience level
Entry level$50,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$57,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$64,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$77,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$92,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+11.1%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
2,400
projected openings per year
Growing faster than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Athletic Trainer salary by industry
Educational Services
11,990 workers
$71,500
Ambulatory Health Care Services
10,000 workers
$63,500
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
6,530 workers
$66,000
Hospitals
5,580 workers
$67,000
Offices of Other Health Practitioners
5,350 workers
$62,500
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
5,290 workers
$67,000
Elementary and Secondary Schools
4,780 workers
$79,000
Educational Services, Privately Owned
4,700 workers
$66,500
Hospitals, Privately Owned
4,500 workers
$67,000
Educational Services, Local Government Owned
4,150 workers
$79,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
