Compensation
Median Pay
$62,520
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Athletic trainers
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$62,520
Projected Growth
11.1%
Annual Openings
2,400
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
33,900
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
11.1%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
2,400
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Master's degree
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Adaptability
94 / 100
94%
Interpersonal
94 / 100
94%
Problem solving & decision making
92 / 100
92%
Detail oriented
83 / 100
83%
Science
81 / 100
81%
Speaking & listening
75 / 100
75%
Creativity & innovation
74 / 100
74%
Physical strength & stamina
70 / 100
70%
Customer service
65 / 100
65%
Project management
64 / 100
64%
AI Career Matching
Careers You'll Also Love
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
5
Similar Careers
Similar Career
Therapists, all other
Highly Compatible Career
Details available with a free account
Salary · Growth · Match Score
Similar Career
Occupational therapy assistants
Highly Compatible Career
Details available with a free account
Salary · Growth · Match Score
Similar Career
Chiropractors
Highly Compatible Career
Details available with a free account
Salary · Growth · Match Score
Similar Career
Occupational therapists
Highly Compatible Career
Details available with a free account
Salary · Growth · Match Score
Similar Career
First-line supervisors of entertainment and recreation workers, except gambling services
Highly Compatible Career
Details available with a free account
Salary · Growth · Match Score
Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
PRO
Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Athletic Trainers
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Athletic trainers a Good Career?
Athletic trainers work in a field that combines science, physical performance, and hands-on support for others. Nationally, there are about 34,000 jobs in this occupation, with projected employment growth of 11.1%. This suggests a growing number of opportunities, supported by an estimated 2,000 annual openings. The national median annual salary of $60,250 offers a solid earning foundation, with higher pay available in certain states and metro areas. The role draws on a mix of adaptability, interpersonal strengths, problem solving and decision making, and strong speaking and listening skills. It also relies on science knowledge, attention to detail, physical strength and stamina, creativity and innovation, and elements of customer service and project management. For students, career changers, and professionals who are comfortable with a master’s-level education and interested in a career that blends people skills with technical and physical demands, athletic training can offer a dynamic and evolving path.
Athletic Trainers Salary
Athletic trainers earn a national median annual salary of $60,250, but actual pay can vary significantly by location. Several states offer median wages well above the national median, including California at $78,490, Massachusetts at $70,010, and New York at $66,230. Among the top metro areas, salaries can be even higher. For example, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro reports a median salary of $89,630, and the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro reports $76,500. Other metros such as San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($77,840) and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($75,390) also exceed the national median. These data points indicate that geographic choice plays a major role in earning potential for athletic trainers, and relocating to certain states or metros may provide access to higher salaries within this career path.
Job Outlook for Athletic Trainers
The employment outlook for athletic trainers is positive, with national employment at about 34,000 and projected growth of 11.1%. This growth is paired with an estimated 2,000 annual openings, suggesting ongoing demand across the country. The same 11.1% projected growth rate is reflected in several top states and metro areas, indicating broadly consistent expansion rather than growth concentrated in only one region. For job seekers and students planning ahead, this combination of current employment levels, double-digit projected growth, and steady annual openings supports the idea that athletic training offers room for new entrants as well as advancement for those already in the field. Individuals considering related pathways may also wish to compare this outlook with options in similar occupations such as therapists (all other), occupational therapy assistants, chiropractors, occupational therapists, and first-line supervisors of entertainment and recreation workers (except gambling services).
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Athletic Trainers?
Location can significantly shape the opportunity profile for athletic trainers. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $78,490, employment of 1,760, and the highest opportunity score listed at 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also offer relatively high median salaries of $70,010 and $66,230, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 respectively. Colorado and Washington provide additional options, with median salaries in the mid-$60,000s and opportunity scores in the mid-50s, illustrating a range of strong markets beyond the East and West Coasts. At the metro level, differences are even more pronounced. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro combines a very high median salary of $89,630 with the top opportunity score of 77.42. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro follows closely with a 77.27 opportunity score and a $76,500 median salary. Other metros such as San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also present strong combinations of pay, employment levels, and opportunity scores.
Education for Athletic Trainers
Athletic trainers typically need a master’s degree, which shapes both entry into the field and long-term professional development. This advanced education supports the occupation’s emphasis on science and detail-oriented work, as well as the need for sound problem solving and decision making. Success in this career is not based on technical knowledge alone. The top skills highlight a strong human and practical component, including adaptability, interpersonal strengths, and effective speaking and listening. Physical strength and stamina are important, reflecting the physical dimension of the work, while creativity and innovation can help athletic trainers respond to varied situations. Customer service and project management skills round out the profile, pointing to frequent interaction with others and the need to coordinate activities or plans. For students and career changers, this combination of graduate-level education and diverse skill requirements underscores the value of both academic preparation and ongoing development of people, organizational, and physical capabilities.
Your next move
Turn career data into a location strategy.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.