Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Morgantown, WV: $26.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Morgantown, WV runs $26.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,173 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Morgantown's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,501 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Morgantown, West Virginia, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $26.04, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.45. This discrepancy reflects the local economic conditions and the cost of living index for the area, which stands at 86.5, indicating that it falls below the national average. For athletic trainers working part-time at high schools or colleges, this hourly rate translates into an annual income dependent on their work schedules. For instance, a trainer working three days a week may net approximately $20,030 a year, whereas those on a per-diem basis may see variable income based on event coverage pay, typically ranging from $21.30 to $36.75 per hour depending on experience and specific work settings such as military bases or outpatient clinics.
About the Morgantown Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.30 | $170.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.57 | $188.59 |
| Median (P50) | $26.04 | $208.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.35 | $250.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.75 | $293.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Morgantown
Based on $26.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.04/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Morgantown, WV can expect to earn approximately $54,168 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,251. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Morgantown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Morgantown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,041.70 | $4,514 | $54,168 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $625.02 | $2,708 | $32,501 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $416.68 | $1,806 | $21,667 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Morgantown) | $26.04 |
| 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 Morgantown, WV earn a median of $54,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.19% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.30% below the West Virginia state average of $56,607.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.04/hr = $32,501/year (purchasing power: $37,573).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,168/year (purchasing power: $62,622).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Morgantown grew 29.1% from $19.28/hr (2019) to $24.89/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.25/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 Morgantown 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 Morgantown
Considering the potential for earnings among athletic trainers in Morgantown, those choosing to work part-time can expect to take home a modest income when compared to full-time counterparts. Per-diem opportunities offer flexible arrangements and pay rates that can reach $200-$500 per event for game coverage, while industrial athletic trainers working for large corporations may see hourly bills of $50 to $80. Various employer types, from secondary schools to professional sports teams, influence these earnings significantly. Additionally, the decision between a lower hourly wage with benefits or a higher rate without insurance coverage can impact overall financial stability. In this context, athletic trainers negotiating their pay should consider the broader implications of their benefits package and seek to understand the specific demands of their roles across different sectors in the local job market.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
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 Morgantown. 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 Morgantown 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