Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Virginia Beach, VA: $30.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Virginia Beach, VA runs $30.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,431 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Virginia Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,664 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Virginia Beach, the athletic trainer hourly pay stands at a median of $30.98, which is slightly lower than the national median of $31.45. This hourly figure can significantly impact part-time and per-diem athletic trainers who typically work in various settings such as high schools, colleges, professional teams, and industrial workplaces. For athletic trainers working three days a week, this translates to a flexible income that can accommodate different lifestyles while offering a competitive salary. The hourly range for the profession varies from $24.78 for entry-level positions to $40.88 for experienced professionals, reflective of the demand for skilled trainers in the region. These statistics are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026 and indicate a growing field that is essential in both traditional sports environments and occupational health settings.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.78 | $198.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.29 | $234.29 |
| Median (P50) | $30.98 | $247.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.40 | $259.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.88 | $327.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Virginia Beach
Based on $30.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.98/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Virginia Beach, VA can expect to earn approximately $64,440 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,177. With a cost-of-living index of 97.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Virginia Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Virginia Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,239.24 | $5,370 | $64,440 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $743.54 | $3,222 | $38,664 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $495.70 | $2,148 | $25,776 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Virginia Beach) | $30.98 |
| 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 Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $64,431 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.50% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.60% below the Virginia state average of $67,538.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.98/hr = $38,664/year (purchasing power: $39,477).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,440/year (purchasing power: $65,795).
CoL index: 97.941 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Virginia Beach grew 19.4% from $24.79/hr (2019) to $29.61/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.42/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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach
Earning potential for part-time athletic trainers in Virginia Beach can diverge considerably from those in full-time positions. Working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate enables trainers to take home around $38,500 annually, which significantly impacts career decisions given that full-time trainers may earn upwards of $64,431. Per diem athletic trainer pay in Virginia Beach offers additional opportunities, especially for event coverage where rates can vary dramatically, typically ranging from $200 to $500 per event. For trainers in industrial settings, the pay may reach between $50 and $80 per hour due to the higher demand for workplace health and safety expertise. Additionally, while some might prefer the higher pay at individual events, job security and benefits in educational settings can make lower hourly rates more appealing. As athletic trainers evaluate their options, negotiating pay based on the specific work environment and the inclusion of health benefits remains critical, especially in a city like Virginia Beach where the cost of living is below the national average.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach. 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