Athletic Trainer Salary in Passaic, NJ: $73,760 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Passaic, NJ earns a median $73,760/year (≈ $35.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Passaic's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $64,028 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Passaic, New Jersey, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $73,760, reflecting a competitive environment for professionals in this field. With a salary range from $58,726 at the 10th percentile to $107,709 at the 90th percentile, the local job market offers substantial earning potential depending on qualifications and experience. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, indicating that athletic trainers in Passaic generally fare better than the national median salary of $65,415. This is a noteworthy advantage, particularly when considering the different employment settings available—whether in schools, colleges, or industrial sectors—which can influence overall compensation structures.
About the Passaic Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,726 | $28.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,901 | $31.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,760 | $35.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,168 | $43.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,709 | $51.78 |
Median Salary Position
12.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Passaic
In Passaic, NJ, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,983 (2026 est.). At $73,760, the local median is 12.76% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Passaic: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Passaic Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Passaic median: $73,760/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Passaic Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $75,342 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +12.76% more |
Athletic Trainers in Passaic, NJ earn a median of $73,760 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $75,342.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Passaic has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Passaic, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,760 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,028 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,620
2025 BLS Actual
$70,496
2026 Current Est.
$73,760
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Passaic (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,221 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,597 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,709 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,496 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,760 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,175 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Passaic metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $54,620 (2019) to $70,496 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,175 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,555 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Passaic 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) | $58,726 – $65,901 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,901 – $73,760 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,760 – $90,168 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,168 – $107,709 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Passaic
Focusing on the job market in Passaic, where 18 athletic trainers are currently employed, cost of living plays a significant role in determining take-home purchasing power. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, professionals may find that while their salaries appear higher than the national average, daily expenses also reflect this premium. Among local employers, roles in industrial health settings often yield higher compensation compared to those in high school or collegiate athletics. Factors such as the setting—professional sports typically providing the highest pay, transitions between assistant and head athletic trainer positions, and specific certification requirements like CSCS or OCS-AT—contribute to the pay disparity seen across the board. Aspiring athletic trainers in Passaic should focus on gaining additional certifications and seeking out year-round contracts, as these strategies may effectively maximize their earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Passaic, 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 $70,496 for athletic trainersin the Passaic 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 Passaic 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