Hiring guide · Beauty, Fitness & Personal Care
How to Hire an Athletic Trainer
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring athletic trainers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $62,520), recruit through cosmetology, barbering and massage school career days, verify BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for athletic trainers
There are about 35,200 athletic trainers employed in the U.S., with roughly 2,400 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +12.7% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $48,180–$55,130 | $23.16–$26.50 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $62,520 | $30.06 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $88,760 | $42.67 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Master's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Injury evaluation
- Calm under pressure
Nice-to-haves
- BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
- State athletic trainer license
- Emergency cardiac care certification
- Experience with taping and bracing supplies
Where to find athletic trainers
- Cosmetology, barbering and massage school career days
- Certification bodies and continuing education classes
- Social media and client referrals
- Assistants and apprentices already on your team
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Certified Athletic Trainer, ATC, Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer, Clinical Athletic Trainer
Screening checklist
- State license verification with the licensing board
- A practical skills demonstration or trial service
- Liability insurance and certification checks where required
- References focused on reliability and client service
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “How would you handle a concussion?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain protocol.
2. “How do you communicate with coaches?”
What a strong answer includes: Show collaboration.
3. “What is your emergency action plan process?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “How do you manage heat illness?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention cooling.
5. “Why athletic training?”
What a strong answer includes: Share motivation.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Tape an Ankle (see the steps)
- Respond to a Possible Concussion (see the steps)
- Manage Heat Illness (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as ATC, BOC, CAATE
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Athletic Trainer 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Athletic Trainer training. Show them the path forward: Graduate Athletic Trainer → Athletic Trainer → Head Athletic Trainer → Director of Sports Medicine.
Hiring athletic trainers: FAQ
How much should I pay an athletic trainer?
The U.S. median wage for athletic trainers is $62,520 per year, according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($55,130), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($74,630). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an athletic trainer have?
BLS lists “master's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and State athletic trainer license where relevant, plus skills such as injury evaluation, emergency care, and taping and bracing.
How long does it take to train a new athletic trainer?
Becoming qualified typically takes Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”