Athletic Trainer Salary in Richmond, VA: $63,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Richmond, VA earns a median $63,165/year (≈ $30.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $64,548 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Richmond, Virginia, offers an athletic trainer salary of $63,165 for the year 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $65,415. The salary range in Richmond spans from $52,503 at the 10th percentile to $82,794 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market that accommodates various levels of experience and specialties. This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. For athletic trainers navigating the choice between school-year contracts and year-round industrial positions, understanding these figures can guide them toward optimal career paths. Typically, positions involved in traditional sports settings may lead to lower compensation compared to those in industrial or occupational health roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,503 | $25.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,642 | $30.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,165 | $30.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,105 | $31.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,794 | $39.80 |
Median Salary Position
3.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,291 (2026 est.). At $63,165, the local median is 3.44% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Richmond median: $63,165/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $67,484 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -3.44% less |
Athletic Trainers in Richmond, VA earn a median of $63,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 6.40% below the Virginia state average of $67,484.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,165 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,548 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,260
2025 BLS Actual
$60,370
2026 Current Est.
$63,165
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,090 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 36.4% from $44,260 (2019) to $60,370 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,090 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,830 (49.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $52,503 – $62,642 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,642 – $63,165 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,165 – $66,105 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,105 – $82,794 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Richmond
Employing approximately 160 athletic trainers, Richmond's job market reflects a stable demand for qualified professionals, particularly as the field has transitioned to require a master's degree following 2022. The local cost of living index, currently at 97.858, indicates affordability, which can enhance the effective take-home pay for athletic trainers in the area. Among various employers, professional sports teams tend to offer the highest salaries, while high schools and outpatient clinics generally provide lower pay. Factors contributing to the salary spread include the nature of the employment setting, the difference between school-year and year-round contracts, and compensation for additional responsibilities such as evening and weekend events. To maximize potential earnings in Richmond, athletic trainers should consider seeking certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT, pursue head AT roles, and explore opportunities in industrial settings, which often yield higher compensation compared to traditional sports environments.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 $60,370 for athletic trainersin the Richmond 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