An athletic trainer salary may vary according to multiple factors like industry, experience, local policies, and state. In accordance with a mean wage annual report published by payscale.com, an athletic trainer’s salary can vary between $30,448 and $54,952 per year. The average wage for this occupation has been calculated at $39,870 per year or $18,00 per hour.
In Canada, an athletic trainer makes a yearly mean salary of C$40,999 ($30,663), while the same professional working in the UK earns £23,000 ($28,218) per year. Australian athletic trainers have a mean yearly salary of AU$45,575($34,304) and Swiss professionals earn CHF106,000 ($105,111) per year. The salary for this position in Norway is NOK 187,200 ($22,127) per year.
Athletic Trainer Salary Influencers
1. Industry
Depending on how lucrative the selected industry is, the athletic trainer salary may vary accordingly. The number one highest-paying industry for a professional athletic trainer is Public Administration, where a future candidate can earn $47,920 per year or $23,04 per hour.
The second most lucrative industry for athletic trainers is the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, where a candidate can earn a yearly wage of $46,030 or $22,26 per hour.
Ranking third on the highest-paying industry list is the Educational Services Branch, where an athletic trainer can earn $45,760 per year or $22,00 per hour.
Among other high-paying industries for this profession is the Health Care and Social Assistance, where a candidate for this position can earn $41,720 per year or $20,06 per hour.
If you’re interested in a job as an athletic trainer, then you should avoid seeking employment in the Other Services (except Public Administration) industry, because it has the lowest pay rate in the state, estimated at $38,100 per year or $18,32 per hour.
2. Geographic Area
| Athletic Trainer Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | Switzerland | Norway |
| Hourly Wage | $18 | C$19.71 | £11.05 | AU$26 | CHF50,96 | NOK90 |
| Annual Wage | $39,870 | C$40,999 | £23,000 | AU$45,575 | CHF106,000 | NOK187,200 |
Regardless of their location, professional athletic trainers have similar duties. They are required to supervise all fitness-related activity, dietary requirements, and training program in accordance with the job’s profile.
Athletic Trainer Salary in the US
The average athletic trainer salary can also be determined and influenced by the geographic area. According to an earnings report published by recruiter.com, athletic trainers tend to make the most in the District of Columbia, where the average wage has been calculated at $72,910 per year or $35,05 per hour.
The second position as a high-paying state for this profession is currently occupied by Connecticut, where a certified athletic trainer can earn $62,590 per year or $30,09 per hour. Ranking third in the highest paying states list is Utah, where an athletic trainer can earn $58,920 per year or $28,33 per hour.
If you’re currently seeking employment as a professional athletic trainer, you should avoid the following states because they have the lowest paying rates:
- West Virginia: $37,200/year;
- Oklahoma: $36,380/year;
- South Dakota: $35,870/year;
- Virginia: $35,300/year;
- Montana: $30,740/year;
- Louisiana: $29,720/year;
- New Mexico: $28,450/year.
Athletic Trainer Salary by State
| State | Annual Mean Wage ($) |
| Alabama | 43,240 |
| Alaska | – |
| Arizona | 42,140 |
| Arkansas | 38,990 |
| California | 49,060 |
| Colorado | 49,880 |
| Connecticut | 45,100 |
| Delaware | 40,480 |
| Florida | 44,130 |
| Georgia | 46,920 |
| Hawaii | 50,100 |
| Idaho | 39,680 |
| Illinois | 47,380 |
| Indiana | 44,580 |
| Iowa | 41,800 |
| Kansas | 40,170 |
| Kentucky | 45,560 |
| Louisiana | 39,610 |
| Maine | 41,360 |
| Maryland | 44,150 |
| Massachusetts | 52,310 |
| Michigan | 46,110 |
| Minnesota | 45,170 |
| Mississippi | 43,970 |
| Missouri | 45,020 |
| Montana | 43,340 |
| Nebraska | 47,380 |
| Nevada | 62,230 |
| New Hampshire | 46,880 |
| New Jersey | 60,010 |
| New Mexico | – |
| New York | 49,790 |
| North Carolina | 42,830 |
| North Dakota | 38,310 |
| Ohio | 46,010 |
| Oklahoma | 39,380 |
| Oregon | 47,210 |
| Pennsylvania | 43,070 |
| Rhode Island | 50,240 |
| South Carolina | 43,370 |
| South Dakota | 43,390 |
| Tennessee | 43,460 |
| Texas | 52,510 |
| Utah | 50,700 |
| Vermont | 45,640 |
| Virginia | 47,930 |
| Washington | 47,330 |
| West Virginia | 45,790 |
| Wisconsin | 49,120 |
| Wyoming | 44,070 |
Athletic Trainer Salary in Canada
A certified athletic trainer or personal trainer working in Canada earns a median salary of C$50,000, as reported by Payscale. Moreover, bonuses can add $500 dollars to the pay.
Athletic Trainer Salary in Australia
Australian certified athletic trainers can earn as much as AU$81.07 per hour. However, personal trainers who held no certification and work in the same country have a maximum hourly pay of AU$60.47. The mean salary for athletic trainers is AU$45,575, the equivalent of $34,304.
Athletic Trainer Salary in the UK
Certified athletic trainers who work in the United Kingdom have an annual salary that ranges between £20,000 and £25,000. Moreover, Payscale reports that the hourly pay for athletic trainers who obtain their certification reaches £17.50.
Athletic Trainer Salary in Switzerland
Generally, athletic trainers who work in Switzerland earn a mean salary of CHF106,000 per year, at an hourly rate of CHF50,96.
Athletic Trainer Salary in Norway
An athletic trainer working in Norway has a yearly salary of NOK187,200, with NOK90 per hour.
3. Experience
Like most professions, the experience is also considered a crucial factor that influences the annual wage. If you’re currently seeking employment as an athletic trainer, then you should know that the nation-wide entry-level salary for this profession has been calculated at $37,000 per year.
A mid-career athletic trainer, with 5 to 10 years on the job can earn as much as $41,000 per year. On the other hand, an experienced trainer, with 10 to 20 years on the clock has the opportunity of earning approximately $46,000 per year.
As for a late-career, with more than 20 years on the job, can earn $52,000 per year.
From an education standpoint, most employers require a two-year bachelor’s degree in athletic training. However, there are stricter employers out there who request accredited college or university degrees.
Other course or qualification that can increase your chances of securing a position:
- Basic or advanced anatomy courses;
- Nutrition;
- Biomechanics;
- Physiology;
- Physics.
Working Hours and Environment
Athletic trainers usually work in an educational environment such as schools, colleges, and universities. However, some of them work in hospitals, fitness and wellness center or sports teams. Other may also seek employment in law enforcement, the military and, at times, might collaborate with artists.
An athletic trainer usually works 40 hours per week, but depending on your job’s profile and the environment, you might be asked to work overtime or over the weekend and legal holidays. Also, keep in mind that you’ll probably have to spend most of the time working outdoors.
Bonuses and Benefits Packages
Apart from the athletic trainer salary, you are entitled to other bonus and benefits. Additionally, as a professional involved in medical matters, you will receive a full medical insurance from your employer.
Furthermore, according to an income report posted by payscale.com, a seasoned athletic trainer is entitled to receive monetary benefits amassing to $3,452 per year. Depending on the nature of your contract, you can receive overtime bonuses between $0,00 and $34,65 per hour.
Job Outlook
According to a review posted by BLS, the rate of employment for this occupation will increase by 21 percent in the 2014-2024 timeframe. Furthermore, the projected employment for 2024 is +30,800, and the employment change is +5,400. If you are interested in the field of sports, we suggest reading about the sports psychologist salary as well.
Conclusion
To conclude, seeking to occupy a position as an athletic trainer may be a good option if your personal interests include fitness, anatomy, and nutrition. There are many advantages of becoming a professional athletic trainer, wellness being among the most important aspects. Furthermore, as a professional, you’ll also be able to interact all sort of people and to teach them that health matters above all else.
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