Amid giant free-agent signings and speculation on billion-dollar earners, MLB athletic trainers aren’t known for their high salaries. Only a tiny percentage of an MLB team’s budget goes toward paying training staff.
This is not to say they aren’t important, as teams that have struggled to keep their most valuable players healthy can attest. Their salaries sit right in the middle among major U.S. professional sports.
MLB athletic trainers make an average of $64,000 annually. The maximum salary expected is around $132,463, below the NFL and NBA salaries but above MLS and the NHL.
Average salary figures and bonus estimates for MLB athletic trainers:
Salary: $64,000
Bonuses: $4,000-$5,000
Benefits: Housing allowance, meal expenses, discounts on team merchandise
Each team must have two full-time certified athletic trainers on their staff, certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). To qualify, athletic trainers must have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree and pass the certification exam.
Bonuses are modest for an MLB athletic trainer, although their pay increases with experience.
By year 10, athletic trainers working for an MLB club can be on the cusp of earning six figures. It doesn’t compare to the salaries of the major leaguers they treat, but still quite a bit better than minor leaguers.
Salary range for MLB athletic trainers based on experience level:
- Starting salary: $52,000-$75,000
- Years 1-3: $52,000-$77,000
- Years 4-6: $54,000-$81,000
- Years 7-9: $54,000-$83,000
- Years 10-14: $57,000-$90,000
As baseball evolves its rules and presentation, so do MLB athletic trainers. New technology allows them to diagnose ailments quicker and treat players more effectively.
For example, wearable devices monitoring key health metrics around the clock and AI-driven analytics are revolutionizing the field. The industry’s growth shows just how important athletic trainers are now and will continue to be for professional sports.
The athletic training industry shows growth projections of 13% up to 2033, three times the rate of all occupations. Paired with the steady climb of player contracts, MLB athletic trainers are in a good position to also increase their salaries.
The data was compiled from PBATS, Glassdoor, Spotrac, and Catapult.
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