Athletic Trainer Salary in Clifton, NJ: $73,963 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Clifton, NJ earns a median $73,963/year (≈ $35.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Clifton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $64,204 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, athletic trainers in Clifton, NJ are projected to earn a median annual salary of $73,963, which reflects a competitive position in the broader market when compared to the national median of $65,415. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning around $59,209, while the top 90% can achieve pay as high as $108,408. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments indicate that Clifton's job market for athletic trainers is robust, catering to diverse settings. This includes educational institutions as well as more lucrative positions in industrial settings, highlighting a potential trade-off between traditional school year contracts and year-round opportunities that could yield higher compensation.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,209 | $28.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,325 | $31.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,963 | $35.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,219 | $41.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,408 | $52.12 |
Median Salary Position
13.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clifton
In Clifton, NJ, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,199 (2026 est.). At $73,963, the local median is 13.07% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clifton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clifton Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Clifton median: $73,963/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clifton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $75,395 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +13.07% more |
Athletic Trainers in Clifton, NJ earn a median of $73,963 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $75,395.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clifton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clifton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,963 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,204 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,770
2025 BLS Actual
$70,690
2026 Current Est.
$73,963
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Clifton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,376 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,747 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,876 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,624 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,963 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clifton metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $54,770 (2019) to $70,690 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,617 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clifton 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) | $59,209 – $66,325 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,325 – $73,963 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,963 – $86,219 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,219 – $108,408 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Clifton
Among the 14 athletic trainers working in Clifton, NJ, the cost of living index sits at 115.2, indicating that housing and other expenses are higher than the national average. This could affect the purchasing power of athletic trainers in the area, emphasizing the need for optimal salary negotiations. Most employers that pay above-average salaries include professional sports teams and industrial health settings, as they often offer better compensation than high school athletic training opportunities. Factors driving pay variance include the setting of employment, the distinction between head and assistant roles, stipends for evening and weekend events, and additional certifications that enhance an athletic trainer's credentials. To maximize earnings in Clifton, aspiring trainers should consider pursuing certifications and exploring opportunities in industrial environments, which typically yield higher salaries compared to traditional educational roles.
More salary data for Clifton, NJ:
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 $70,690 for athletic trainersin the Clifton 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
Salary data for Clifton 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