Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Vestavia Hills, AL: $24.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Vestavia Hills, AL runs $24.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,295 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Vestavia Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,177 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Vestavia Hills, Alabama, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $24.18, which is significantly lower than the national average of $31.45 per hour. This discrepancy highlights the regional economic variances and cost of living in Alabama, where the Cost of Living Index stands at 87.9, suggesting affordability yet lower compensation. For part-time athletic trainers who might work around three days a week, the hourly pay translates into roughly $1,943 monthly based on a typical schedule of 24 hours per week, offering a modest income compared to what full-time professionals could expect. Entry-level trainers start at approximately $19.16 per hour, while those with more experience in settings such as high school athletic training rooms or industrial clinics can earn up to $33.44 per hour, which reflects the full scope of experience and environment type.
About the Vestavia Hills Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.16 | $153.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.43 | $171.43 |
| Median (P50) | $24.18 | $193.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.62 | $228.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.44 | $267.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vestavia Hills
Based on $24.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.18/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vestavia Hills, AL can expect to earn approximately $50,294 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,016. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Vestavia Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vestavia Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $967.20 | $4,191 | $50,294 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $580.32 | $2,515 | $30,177 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $386.88 | $1,676 | $20,118 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Vestavia Hills) | $24.18 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Athletic Trainers in Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $50,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.11% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $52,390.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.18/hr = $30,177/year (purchasing power: $34,331).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,294/year (purchasing power: $57,218).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Vestavia Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Vestavia Hills grew 29.1% from $17.91/hr (2019) to $23.11/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.30/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem athletic trainers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vestavia Hills metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Athletic Trainer in Vestavia Hills
For those considering a part-time commitment, the annual take-home for a 24-hour workweek would yield about $23,316, whereas full-time positions significantly elevate that figure. Per-diem rates vary widely, with game coverage typically paying between $200 and $500 per event, while industrial settings may offer higher compensation, billing $50 to $80 per hour. Employers in Vestavia Hills, ranging from high schools to professional sports teams, influence pay scales with industrial jobs often providing benefits that higher hourly rates in traditional settings may not. Some trainers might opt for lower pay in exchange for health insurance and job security or may pursue per diem arrangements for flexibility. Understanding these dynamics can be crucial for negotiating pay, particularly in a landscape like Vestavia Hills where employment opportunities may lean towards specialized settings and diverse employer types.
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Vestavia Hills in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for athletic trainers in Vestavia Hills. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Vestavia Hills is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for athletic trainers (SOC 29-9091).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov