How much does an Athletic Trainer make?

The average salary for an Athletic Trainer is $62,431 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 1721 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Athletic Trainer employees in United States.

The highest salary for an Athletic Trainer in United States is $78,466 per year.

The lowest salary for an Athletic Trainer in United States is $50,002 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming an Athletic Trainer or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of an Athletic Trainer.

A career in athletic training allows individuals who love sports to hold an intellectually demanding job in an athletic setting. Pay is typically higher than that of personal trainers or fitness instructors but lower than that of doctors or orthopedic surgeons, reflecting differences in each path’s educational barriers to entry and proximity to medical decision-making. Athletic trainers who travel with teams or work on weekends may be eligible for overtime. Those who work with famous clients, such as a champion supports team, occasionally earn celebrity status themselves.

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Certification, advanced degrees, professional organization membership, and five to seven years of experience may qualify athletic trainer salaries as good. According to Glassdoor data from anonymous employee reviews, 66% feel good about their pay, and they can earn $7,102.45 in additional pay annually.

Following the typical athletic trainer career path, professionals make an average income of $62,431.02, with a range between $40,978.09 and $96,051.22 across all experience levels. After gaining relevant professional experience, the next step up in seniority is an assistant director of athletic training, which usually comes with a pay raise and potentially additional benefits.

Certification is required in 48 states, so if you want to earn a higher salary as an athletic trainer, earning your bachelor's degree and sitting for the BOC exam is the first step. Thanks to its in-depth coverage of injury prevention and diagnosis, emergency care, and treatment and rehabilitation, passing with a high score demonstrates high job-specific knowledge. Consider additional courses or an advanced degree to stand apart from other applicants, and maximize your most in-demand skills. Excellent communication skills, customer service, empathy, and understanding of exercise programs is vital. Whether someone is building muscle or losing weight, professionals should know the proper stretches, exercises, and risk factors behind them.

In an athletic trainer job, your best opportunity to score a higher salary is discussing your full package needs immediately after a job offer. If you request a 10% raise, for instance, employers might meet you in the middle at 5% but add more to your benefits package, such as additional vacation time or more job flexibility. In an established position, discuss what you bring to the role, and justify your athletic trainer salary request by sharing how it maximizes your talents. With higher earnings, for example, you could take additional job-specific classes to help clients. Membership in a professional organization bolsters your credibility and can also help secure the raise.