Athletic Trainer Salary in Tucson, AZ: $63,960 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Tucson, AZ earns a median $63,960/year (≈ $30.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $66,009 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Tucson, Arizona, is projected to reach $63,960, placing it slightly below the national median of $65,415. This field has seen a restructuring following the 2022 transition to a master's degree requirement, which has influenced entry-level compensation. Salaries for athletic trainers in Tucson range from $48,444 at the 10th percentile to $80,816 at the 90th percentile, as reported by BLS, reflecting the varying roles and employment settings within the profession. With the training landscape shifting, those entering athletic training in Tucson can expect competitive salaries that align closely with educational standards and industry expectations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,444 | $23.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,444 | $23.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,816 | $38.85 |
Median Salary Position
2.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,372 (2026 est.). At $63,960, the local median is 2.22% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tucson Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Tucson median: $63,960/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $64,411 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -2.22% less |
Athletic Trainers in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $63,960 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.22% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.70% below the Arizona state average of $64,411.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,960 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,009 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,900
2025 BLS Actual
$61,130
2026 Current Est.
$63,960
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,960 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,922 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 20.1% from $50,900 (2019) to $61,130 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,922 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,022 (31.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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) | $48,444 – $48,444 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,444 – $63,960 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,960 – $66,440 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,440 – $80,816 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Tucson
The local job market includes approximately 40 athletic trainers, revealing limited competition for positions but also highlighting a niche sector for employment. Tucson’s cost of living index stands at 96.896, indicating that while salaries may fall short of some national benchmarks, affordability allows for reasonable purchasing power. Among the highest-paying employers are universities and colleges, particularly those competing at the NCAA level, followed by professional sports teams. Factors influencing pay disparity include the work setting, with industrial or occupational health roles typically offering higher compensation compared to high school athletic training positions. Strategies to maximize earnings include pursuing certifications from the BOC, specializing in industrial or occupational health settings, and considering positions that provide stipends for evening events. For those seeking to increase their athletic trainer pay in Tucson, being proactive about certifications and targeting lucrative sectors can significantly impact overall compensation.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
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 $61,130 for athletic trainersin the Tucson 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, 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