113 New Athletic Trainer Jobs — Monday, April 6th, 2026 - And one tops out at $240k.

That’s the headline.

Keck Medicine of USC posted a Senior Director of Athletic Medicine Operations role for the USC athletic program with a salary range of $145,600 to $240,240 — the highest ceiling this board has seen in 14 editions. It edges out the previous high (Sutter Health at $229,174 in week four). The floor is actually lower, and Los Angeles is a tougher cost-of-living market than Sacramento, so it’s not a clean sweep — but at this level, the ceiling is what matters and $240K is not a number this profession posts often.

This is a true leadership role — Head Athletic Trainer and Athletics Health Care Administrator combined, but more importantly, it shows what the profession looks like when athletic medicine is treated like a serious healthcare operation, not a support service.

Below that, the market looks more familiar. A pair of MLS roles, a high hourly contract posting, and a strong school-based salary structure in Texas highlight the rest of the board.

Transparency seems to be ticking up slowly. 50 of 84 full-time roles listed compensation this week. Still not good enough, but it’s trending in the right direction.

One thing worth flagging before the picks: Duke and NC State both have major athletic medicine leadership roles open right now in the same Raleigh-Durham market. Neither posted a salary. Compare that to what USC posted and it makes you wonder why these institutions give you no indication at what level they value this position.

Same candidate pool. One is making it easy. The other two are making you ask.

Let’s get into the picks.

Senior Director, Athletic Medicine Operations | Keck Medicine of USC

Los Angeles, CA | $145,600–$240,240

The highest salary posted on this board — by a wide margin. This is a combined Head Athletic Trainer and Athletics Health Care Administrator role overseeing the full athletic medicine operation for a Big Ten program under a major academic medical center. The floor alone clears most ceilings on the market this week. The top end at $240,240 puts it in a different category entirely. Los Angeles is expensive — roughly 50% above the national average with housing over 130% higher — but at this level, the math works. This is one of the few roles where compensation actually keeps pace with the market it sits in. What’s missing: no bonus structure and no retirement details listed. At this level, both should be part of the conversation. The real evaluation comes down to structure — reporting lines, physician oversight, and how independent medical authority functions day-to-day. This is not just a high-paying job. It’s a signal of what the top end of this profession can look like when it’s resourced correctly.

First Assistant Athletic Trainer | Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle, WA | $85,000–$90,000

Professional MLS soccer with a fully transparent compensation structure and a benefits package worth paying attention to. 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees and dependents — not a contribution, the full premium. $10,000 in fertility and family-building benefits. 401(k) match. Complimentary match tickets. ORCA transit card. Four years of elite sports experience and a Master’s required. Oversight of the internship program is part of the role, so this is not purely clinical. Travel is built into the schedule. The reality check: Seattle runs roughly 44% above the national average, and a one-bedroom apartment averages around $2,200/month. Washington has no state income tax, which helps, but $85K–$90K is comfortable-not-comfortable money in that market. For an experienced AT targeting professional soccer, this is one of the cleaner postings of the year.

Manager, Medical Administration | Major League Soccer

Arlington, TX | $80,000–$85,000

This is not a sideline role. MLS is hiring for a league-level position overseeing player health operations, matchday medical spotters, concussion protocols, and EMR-driven data analytics. This is administrative, operational, and policy-focused — not clinical care. For ATs looking to move into league-level sports medicine infrastructure, this is a rare opportunity. Hybrid schedule. DFW cost of living. No state income tax. $500 wellness reimbursement. The key question: is there any clinical component, or is this purely administrative? That answer defines the job.

Certified Athletic Trainer | Millbrook Support Services

New London, CT | $45.00–$47.05/hr ($93K–$97K)

On paper, one of the highest-paying roles on the board outside of USC.

In practice, one of the least defined. Millbrook is a contract staffing company placing ATs in school settings. Beyond that, the posting gives you almost nothing — no schedule, no clarity on single-site vs multi-site coverage, no details on clinical oversight, and no real sense of the day-to-day. This is the tradeoff you see more frequently with staffing models: strong pay, limited transparency. The number is real and worth exploring. Just understand that you’re responsible for filling in the gaps before you sign anything.

Injury Prevention Consultant | Onsite Ergonomics

Redwood City, CA & Richmond, CA | $90,000

Two openings, same employer, same salary — but very different cost-of-living realities. No nights, no weekends, no event coverage. Annual bonus opportunity. 401(k) with contribution and match. Individual medical fully covered. This is a non-clinical role — ergonomics, workforce education, and injury prevention — which is exactly why the schedule is cleaner. The key difference is geography. Redwood City sits in the core of Silicon Valley where one-bedroom apartments push north of $3,500/month. Richmond, in the East Bay, is significantly more affordable. Same salary. Two very different lifestyles.

Athletic Trainer (0151) | Northwest Independent School District

Justin, TX | $69,441–$91,838

One of the stronger financial setups on the board this week.

DFW runs close to the national average with no state income tax. The 205-day contract provides a defined summer. The salary ceiling approaching $92K is experience-based and attainable within a structured pay scale.

Coverage includes both high school and junior high athletics. Texas teacher certification and AT licensure required.

The questions to ask are straightforward: are you the sole provider across both campuses, and what does your supply and support structure look like?

Between salary, cost of living, and tax advantages, this is a high-efficiency role financially.

Head Athletic Trainer | Smith College

Northampton, MA | $62,816–$84,987

Division III Five College Consortium role with leadership responsibilities — budget oversight, supervision of graduate assistants, and a scope that includes manual therapy and dry needling. Eight years of experience and a graduate degree required. The salary ceiling approaching $85K is competitive at this level — but it raises an important structural question: if this is the top of the pay band, what does the assistant structure look like? D-III programs are often lean. If staffing is thin, coverage doesn’t disappear — it shifts to whoever remains. Before accepting, ask directly about staffing numbers, assistant compensation, and how coverage is handled when positions are vacant.

FEATURED ROLES OF THE WEEK

These employers have committed resources to enhancing their job's visibility and confirmed their salary ranges.

Industrial Athletic Trainer | Work-Fit (Alliance PTP)

Everett, WA | $31.25–$36.06/hour

Four 10-hour days (Tue–Fri) or a 3rd shift option. $31.25–$36.06/hour with full benefits, 401k match, student loan reimbursement (2–3 years), BOC + license fees covered, and unlimited CEUs with Medbridge. No weekends, true 40-hour work week. This is a straightforward industrial role that doesn’t try to hide anything — the pay is clear, the schedule is defined, and the financial support is real. The biggest variable here is lifestyle (4-day schedule vs. 3rd shift), but either way you’re getting structure and stability that a lot of traditional settings still don’t offer.

VERIFIED ROLES OF THE WEEK

The following salary ranges have been independently confirmed by the employer

Full-Time

Athletic Trainer  |  Baker University |  Baldwin City, KS  |  $48,000.00-$52,000.00 – (Annual)

What's Worth Noting This Week:

It is the end of Quarter 1 and The Board of Certification has rolled out its new Continuing Professional Certification (CPC) pathways, and early reactions are mixed.

The intent is clear: move away from passive CEU collection and toward structured professional development. Quarterly challenge questions, targeted feedback, and guided learning aim to identify real gaps in practice rather than just logging hours.

In theory, it’s a better system. In practice, the structure is where friction shows up.

Fifteen questions every three months across eight segments creates a fixed schedule that doesn’t always align with clinical workloads. Miss two segments, and you trigger remediation or default back to traditional requirements. Add in required reflection and goal-setting, and it becomes another layer on top of an already documentation-heavy job.

The key distinction: if you were certified prior to 2026, this is optional for now. If you were certified in 2026 or later, it’s mandatory. That tells you where this is headed.

The legacy model is being positioned as a bridge, not a long-term option. The next two years will determine whether this system holds up in real-world practice — or whether it creates more friction than value.

Also, don't forget to take a look at our breakdown of the market in March, where we highlight overall trends and what is happening in the job market in real time!

Until next week — stop looking, start finding.