Athletic Trainer Salary in Houston, TX: $75,491 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Houston, TX earns a median $75,491/year (≈ $36.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $76,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.5% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Houston, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $75,491, surpassing the national median of $65,415 by approximately 15.40%. Salaries for these professionals range from $63,186 at the lower percentile to $112,979 for those in the highest earning bracket. This pay structure is informed by data drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The city's unique job market displays a substantial divide between athletic trainers working in traditional sports settings, such as schools and colleges, versus those engaged in more lucrative industrial or occupational health roles, reflecting a broader trend seen in many other cities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,186 | $30.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,197 | $30.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,491 | $36.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,536 | $43.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,979 | $54.31 |
Median Salary Position
15.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,793 (2026 est.). At $75,491, the local median is 15.4% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houston Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Houston median: $75,491/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $69,577 | +8.50% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +15.40% more |
Athletic Trainers in Houston, TX earn a median of $75,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.40% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 8.50% above the Texas state average of $69,577.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $75,491 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,540 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,810
2025 BLS Actual
$72,150
2026 Current Est.
$75,491
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.0%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,491 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,986 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew -9.6% from $79,810 (2019) to $72,150 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,986 by 2027 — a total increase of $-824 (-1.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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) | $63,186 – $63,197 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,197 – $75,491 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,491 – $90,536 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,536 – $112,979 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Houston
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently about 480 athletic trainers employed in the Houston area. Notably, Houston's cost-of-living index stands at 98.629, slightly below the national average, which contributes to the real purchasing power of these salaries. Among the highest-paying employers are professional sports teams (e.g., NFL, NBA), as well as industrial settings such as Toyota and Boeing. The variance in pay can be significant, often stemming from the varied settings; those in professional sports typically earn more compared to their peers in high school or collegiate athletics due to the nature of contracts and responsibilities. For those looking to maximize athletic trainer pay in Houston, pursuing certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT and considering positions that offer year-round contracts, head trainer roles, or stipends for events can enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
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 $72,150 for athletic trainersin the Houston 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