Athletic Trainer Salary in Bridgeport, CT: $74,434 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Bridgeport, CT earns a median $74,434/year (≈ $35.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Bridgeport's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.9), that paycheck buys what $69,653 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bridgeport, CT, athletic trainers earn a median annual salary of $74,434, outpacing the national median by 13.79%. With earnings ranging from $53,257 to $114,706, this compensation reflects the city's distinct job market, which leans towards industrial settings that often provide higher pay compared to traditional sports roles. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicating a notable ongoing shift as more athletic trainers navigate towards non-traditional environments. The diverse applications of athletic training in Bridgeport create unique opportunities and challenges, making it essential for professionals in this field to understand the local compensation framework.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,257 | $25.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,669 | $29.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,434 | $35.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,079 | $41.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,706 | $55.15 |
Median Salary Position
13.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bridgeport
In Bridgeport, CT, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,449 (2026 est.). At $74,434, the local median is 13.79% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bridgeport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bridgeport Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Bridgeport median: $74,434/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bridgeport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $70,553 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +13.79% more |
Athletic Trainers in Bridgeport, CT earn a median of $74,434 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.79% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 5.50% above the Connecticut state average of $70,553.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bridgeport has a cost of living 6.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bridgeport, CT has a cost-of-living index of 106.864 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,434 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,653 — a 6.42% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,970
2025 BLS Actual
$71,140
2026 Current Est.
$74,434
2019–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Bridgeport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,434 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,880 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bridgeport metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 24.9% from $56,970 (2019) to $71,140 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,880 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,910 (36.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bridgeport 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) | $53,257 – $61,669 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,669 – $74,434 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,434 – $86,079 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,079 – $114,706 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Bridgeport
The job market in Bridgeport consists of about 100 athletic trainers, illustrating a stable demand for these professionals, especially within the context of the area's cost of living index, which stands at 106.864. This figure suggests that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the increased cost of living can impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Among the various employers, professional sports teams and industrial health settings tend to pay the highest, with secondary school roles often falling at the lower end of the compensation spectrum. Factors that drive the salary range include the type of employer, the specific role—whether head athletic trainer or assistant—and additional responsibilities that might come with evening or weekend events. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing advanced certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT and seeking roles in higher-paying sectors can be effective strategies. Understanding the nuances of the Bridgeport athletic trainer salary landscape can significantly enhance individual career trajectories in this evolving profession.
More salary data for Bridgeport, CT:
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 $71,140 for athletic trainersin the Bridgeport 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