Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Erie, PA: $27.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Erie, PA runs $27.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,703 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Erie's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,616 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Erie, Pennsylvania, the athletic trainer hourly pay is projected at $27.74 for 2026, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $31.45 per hour. This rate is significant for those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, as it offers a meaningful income while allowing flexibility for other commitments. In Erie, entry-level athletic trainers can expect to receive approximately $25.03 an hour, while experienced professionals often earn up to $39.37. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, encompass various employment settings, such as high school training rooms, university athletic facilities, and even industrial workplace clinics, providing a diverse scope of opportunities for athletic trainers in the area.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.03 | $200.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.54 | $204.32 |
| Median (P50) | $27.74 | $221.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.56 | $244.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.37 | $314.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Erie
Based on $27.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.74/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Erie, PA can expect to earn approximately $57,694 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,285. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Erie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Erie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,109.50 | $4,808 | $57,694 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $665.70 | $2,885 | $34,616 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $443.80 | $1,923 | $23,078 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Erie) | $27.74 |
| 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 Erie, PA earn a median of $57,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.79% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $62,180.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.74/hr = $34,616/year (purchasing power: $38,061).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,694/year (purchasing power: $63,435).
CoL index: 90.95 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Erie grew 18.3% from $22.41/hr (2019) to $26.51/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.02/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 Erie 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 Erie
When evaluating the financial landscape for part-time athletic trainers, working a typical schedule of three days a week results in an annual take-home pay that is significantly lower than full-time counterparts. Per diem opportunities further underscore the earning potential; game coverage often nets between $200 and $500 per event, while industrial settings may offer billing rates of $50 to $80 per hour. This variability emphasizes the differences in hourly earnings among various employer types, from secondary schools to professional sports teams and outpatient clinics. Furthermore, the trade-off in benefits is crucial—some athletic trainers may opt for lower-paying positions that provide health insurance, while others prefer higher hourly rates that lack such perks. In Erie, negotiating effectively can lead to better outcomes, especially where specific training and credentials, like those offered by the NATA and BOC, are valued more highly in competitive settings.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Erie. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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