Athletic Trainers Career, Salary and Skills
Athletic Trainers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $62,520 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 30,500. Wage data is published for 210 locations.
Occupation description
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.
O*NET code
29-9091.00
Job zone
5
Typical education
Master's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$62,520
Hourly median
Not published
Employment
30,500
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Monitoring | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Speaking | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.88 | 3.75 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Active Learning | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Instructing | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Service Orientation | 3.62 | 3.62 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Clean and sanitize athletic training rooms.
- Instruct coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel, or community members in the care and prevention of athletic injuries.
- Apply protective or injury preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, or braces, to body parts, such as ankles, fingers, or wrists.
- 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.
Technology
- BioEx Systems Exercise Pro
- Database software
- Digital Coach AthleticTrainer
- Email software
- ImPACT Applications ImPACT
- Injury tracking software
- Keffer Development Services Athletic Trainer System ATS
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Premier Software Simtrak Mobility
- Scheduling software
Athletic Trainers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Athletic Trainers Salary in TXMedian $64,150 · Employment 3,130
- Athletic Trainers Salary in OHMedian $61,420 · Employment 2,100
- Athletic Trainers Salary in PAMedian $61,060 · Employment 1,870
- Athletic Trainers Salary in CAMedian $78,490 · Employment 1,760
- Athletic Trainers Salary in FLMedian $61,350 · Employment 1,430
- Athletic Trainers Salary in NYMedian $66,230 · Employment 1,370
- Athletic Trainers Salary in New York, NYMedian $76,500 · Employment 1,330
- Athletic Trainers Salary in INMedian $62,780 · Employment 1,040
- Athletic Trainers Salary in NCMedian $56,540 · Employment 990
- Athletic Trainers Salary in NJMedian $76,210 · Employment 890
- Athletic Trainers Salary in MIMedian $59,280 · Employment 870
- Athletic Trainers Salary in GAMedian $64,590 · Employment 860
Related careers
- Training and Development SpecialistsNational median $69,280
- Registered NursesNational median $97,550
- Orthotists and ProsthetistsNational median $81,110
- Fitness and Wellness CoordinatorsNational median $69,770
- Nurse PractitionersNational median $132,300
- Respiratory TherapistsNational median $82,280
- Occupational Therapy AssistantsNational median $72,300
- Occupational Therapy AidesNational median $39,160
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.