Athletic Trainer Salary

Roanoke vs Williamsburg: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Roanoke, VA and Williamsburg, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Roanoke, VA
$66,932
$32.17/hr
Williamsburg, VA
$63,928
$30.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoanoke, VAWilliamsburg, VA
Median Salary$66,932$63,928
Hourly Rate$32.17$30.73
Entry Level (P10)$51,438$50,742
25th Percentile$58,652$56,436
75th Percentile$80,636$72,180
Top Earner (P90)$96,066$87,655
Total Employed165
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roanoke ($66,932) and Williamsburg ($63,928) athletic trainer salaries.RoanokeWilliamsburgMedian Salary$66,932$63,928Entry Level (P10)$51,438$50,742Top Earner (P90)$96,066$87,655US Median $65,415

Verdict

Roanoke, VA offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Williamsburg.

The salary gap between Roanoke and Williamsburg is $3,004 (4.70%). Roanoke's median is +2.32% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roanoke spans $44,628,Williamsburg spans $36,913. Roanoke has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$51,438
P25$58,652
Median$66,932
P75$80,636
P90 (Top)$96,066
Williamsburg
P10 (Entry)$50,742
P25$56,436
Median$63,928
P75$72,180
P90 (Top)$87,655

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($64,857 effective) pays 4.70% more than Williamsburg ($61,946 effective).

Roanoke
Nominal: $66,932
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $64,857
Williamsburg
Nominal: $63,928
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $61,946

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,932/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,066)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,857)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Williamsburg if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Roanoke grew 19.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.6% growth in Williamsburg over the same period.

Roanoke, VA

+19.7%

$53,430 (2019) → $63,970 (2025)

Williamsburg, VA

+11.6%

$54,726 (2024) → $61,099 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Roanoke or Williamsburg?

Roanoke has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $66,932/year, compared to Williamsburg at $63,928/year — a difference of $3,004 (4.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roanoke and Williamsburg?

Roanoke athletic trainers earn $32.17/hr while Williamsburg hygienists earn $30.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roanoke to Williamsburg as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roanoke and Williamsburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roanoke = $64,857, Williamsburg = $61,946), job availability (16 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Roanoke vs Williamsburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $51,438 in Roanoke and $50,742 in Williamsburg. The Roanoke area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in athletic training. She specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has worked at several high schools and collegiate athletic programs.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gomez, MS, ATCData verified by David Kim, BS, ATC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov