Athletic Trainer Salary in Auburn, AL: $64,253 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Auburn, AL earns a median $64,253/year (≈ $30.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $73,070 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.6% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Auburn, Alabama, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $64,253 in 2026, representing a slight decrease compared to the national median of $65,415. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, spanning from $40,209 at the 10th percentile to $89,929 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting adjustments since the transition in 2022 to a master's degree requirement for entry-level positions in athletic training. As a result, the job market has become increasingly competitive, influencing entry compensation dynamics in this growing field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,209 | $19.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,130 | $26.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,253 | $30.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,796 | $32.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,929 | $43.23 |
Median Salary Position
1.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, AL, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,720 (2026 est.). At $64,253, the local median is 1.78% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Auburn median: $64,253/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $52,409 | +22.60% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -1.78% less |
Athletic Trainers in Auburn, AL earn a median of $64,253 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.78% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 22.60% above the Alabama state average of $52,409.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.933 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $64,253 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,070 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,580
2025 BLS Actual
$61,410
2026 Current Est.
$64,253
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,975 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,884 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,901 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,253 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,228 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $47,580 (2019) to $61,410 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,228 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,648 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,209 – $55,130 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,130 – $64,253 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,253 – $66,796 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,796 – $89,929 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Auburn
Presently, the local job market has around 40 athletic trainers employed in Auburn, which indicates a stable demand for these professionals. The cost of living index in the area is 87.933, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly below the national average, the relative affordability of living expenses can enhance take-home purchasing power. Employers in Auburn often include secondary schools, colleges and universities, and industrial settings, with the latter typically offering higher pay compared to traditional roles in education. Factors contributing to the wage disparities include the nature of employment (e.g., head athletic trainer versus assistant), whether roles are contracted for the school year or operate year-round, and additional duties that may come with stipends for evening or weekend events. For athletic trainers seeking to maximize their pay in Auburn, pursuing certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT can add significant value, alongside seeking positions in industrial settings where salaries tend to be more lucrative.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,410 for athletic trainersin the Auburn metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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