Athletic Trainer Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $64,431 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Virginia Beach, VA earns a median $64,431/year (≈ $30.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Virginia Beach's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $65,786 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Virginia Beach, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $64,431 in 2026, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national median of $65,415. This data was derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and indicates that salaries in this region range from a lower percentile of $51,530 to a higher percentile of $85,022. The transition to a master's degree requirement for entry-level positions in 2022 has significantly impacted salary structures, pushing for better compensation for new professionals entering the field. With 190 athletic trainers currently employed in Virginia Beach, the job market remains relatively stable, indicating a demand for qualified professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,530 | $24.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,916 | $29.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,431 | $30.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,392 | $32.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,022 | $40.88 |
Median Salary Position
1.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, VA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,492 (2026 est.). At $64,431, the local median is 1.5% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Virginia Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Virginia Beach Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Virginia Beach median: $64,431/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Virginia Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $67,538 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -1.50% less |
Athletic Trainers in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $64,431 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.50% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.60% below the Virginia state average of $67,538.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Virginia Beach has a cost of living 2.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Virginia Beach, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.941 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $64,431 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,786 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.1% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$51,570
2025 BLS Actual
$61,580
2026 Current Est.
$64,431
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,431 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,414 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 19.4% from $51,570 (2019) to $61,580 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,414 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,844 (30.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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) | $51,530 – $60,916 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,916 – $64,431 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,431 – $67,392 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,392 – $85,022 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Virginia Beach
Considering the cost of living in Virginia Beach, which stands at 97.941, the purchasing power for athletic trainers may differ significantly from other regions. Employers that typically offer higher pay include colleges and universities, especially those in NCAA divisions, as well as professional sports teams, which often pay more than roles in high school athletics or outpatient clinics. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to factors such as the setting in which athletic trainers work, with industrial and occupational roles often coming with significantly higher salaries compared to traditional educational environments. In addition, those looking to maximize their pay should consider positions that offer year-round contracts, taking on head athletic trainer roles over assistant positions, or obtaining certifications that provide additional compensation. Understanding these nuances can greatly influence overall earnings in the athletic trainer pay landscape in Virginia Beach, VA.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Virginia Beach, VA in 2026?
Is Virginia Beach, VA a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Virginia Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Virginia Beach?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in Virginia Beach?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $61,580 for athletic trainersin the Virginia Beach 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