Athletic Trainers
SOC 29-9091 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Athletic Trainers is $57,930, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $61,540, and an estimated 28,480 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +16.2% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -1.3% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 11.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Athletic Trainers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $57,930 | $57,930 | 28,480 |
| 2022 | $53,840 | $56,056 | 29,720 |
| 2021 | $48,420 | $54,448 | 26,070 |
| 2020 | $49,860 | $58,701 | 27,430 |
Nominal change
+16.2%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-1.3%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+11.1%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
33,900
Projected 2034
37,600
Annual Openings
2,400
Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Athletic Trainers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $57,930. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $74,570 | +28.7% | 60 |
| California | $72,370 | +24.9% | 1,760 |
| New Jersey | $71,480 | +23.4% | 600 |
| District of Columbia | $69,940 | +20.7% | 120 |
| Hawaii | $68,240 | +17.8% | 170 |
| South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $67,570 | +16.6% | 40 |
| Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $64,110 | +10.7% | 40 |
| New Mexico | $63,770 | +10.1% | 80 |
| Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $62,940 | +8.6% | 40 |
| West Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $62,780 | +8.4% | 30 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$43,180
25th Pct
$49,750
Median
$57,930
75th Pct
$66,580
90th Pct
$80,640
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University and Medical Center | NC | 2 | $55,000 |
| Lafayette Parish School System | LA | 1 | $55,828 |
| Neosho County Community College | KS | 1 | $42,450 |
| Iona University | NY | 1 | $57,620 |
| The Wellesley Country Club | MA | 1 | $60,773 |
| The University of Texas El Paso | TX | 1 | $55,000 |
| Auburn University | AL | 1 | $70,070 |
| Lamar University | TX | 1 | $50,000 |
| Northwestern Memorial Healthcare | IL | 1 | $47,840 |
| Brooklyn Nets, LLC | NY | 1 | $400,000 |
| Momentous, LLC. | VA | 1 | $70,000 |
| Stamford Spine, LLC | CT | 1 | $50,000 |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | TX | 1 | $42,700 |
| New Mexico State University | NM | 1 | $42,400 |
| Washington College | MD | 1 | $46,500 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
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