Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Richmond, VA: $30.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Richmond, VA runs $30.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,165 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,894 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Richmond, Virginia, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $30.36, which is slightly below the national median of $31.45. This rate is particularly relevant for part-time and per-diem workers, who often find flexibility in their schedules while working in diverse settings such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional team environments. The hourly range for athletic trainers in Richmond varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $25.25, and top earners reaching up to $39.80. This official data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS statistics projected to 2026, reflects the evolving needs and opportunities for athletic trainers within the field, especially as the profession adheres to newer educational requirements established by the 2022 master's degree transition.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.25 | $201.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.11 | $240.90 |
| Median (P50) | $30.36 | $242.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.79 | $254.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.80 | $318.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $30.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.36/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, VA can expect to earn approximately $63,156 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,436. With a cost-of-living index of 97.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,214.55 | $5,263 | $63,156 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $728.73 | $3,158 | $37,894 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $485.82 | $2,105 | $25,263 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Richmond) | $30.36 |
| 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 Richmond, VA earn a median of $63,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 6.40% below the Virginia state average of $67,484.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.36/hr = $37,894/year (purchasing power: $38,723).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,156/year (purchasing power: $64,539).
CoL index: 97.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Richmond grew 36.4% from $21.28/hr (2019) to $29.02/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.77/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Looking deeper into the earning potential, an athletic trainer working three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, might make just over $37,000 annually. In contrast, those willing to work per-diem can experience substantial financial variability; per diem athletic trainer pay in Richmond typically ranges from $200 to $500 per event, with some industrial settings offering $50 to $80 per hour. College bowl games and playoff events can provide stipends that vary widely, often reaching between $200 and $1,000. Hourly rates also differ by employer type, with industrial and occupational health positions generally offering higher pay compared to traditional school roles. Many athletic trainers may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits. Negotiating tips specific to Richmond could include emphasizing certifications from organizations like NATA and BOC, as well as leveraging local demand to secure better compensation in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 Richmond. 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, 7-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