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In today’s NBA, the top teams look for every competitive advantage to give themselves the best chances of winning.
And while the roster may be the biggest part of the equation for team owners when evaluating their budget, it’s not the only one. Equipment for the players and hiring the staff of athletic trainers are just two additional budget items they must account for.
The NBA’s athletic trainers earn good salaries when compared to their counterparts in other major professional sports.
Since individual NBA teams—not the NBA itself—employ training staff, salaries can vary across a wide range.
NBA athletic trainers make an average of about $70,000 annually, per Glassdoor. According to a survey conducted by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association in 2023, the 25th percentile of earners among NBA trainers make $65,000 and the 75th percentile make $140,000.
Average salary figures and bonus estimates for NBA athletic trainers:
Salary: $70,000
Bonuses: $4,000-$8,000
Benefits include: 401K plan, paid time off including three months’ paternity leave, employee discount at NBA Store
The salaries of NBA athletic trainers aren’t made publicly available, so there is no way to determine exact data.
The field of athletic training is expected to grow 13% by 2033, much faster than the 4% industry average across all occupations. One reason, especially within professional sports like the NBA, is the increased awareness of the impact of sports-related injuries on athletes.
NBA athletic trainers are second only to the NFL in their earning potential. The NBA’s athletic trainers can earn up to over $140,000 compared to the potential of over $300,000 in the NFL. However, likely due to the smaller number of players and thus trainer roles in the NBA, salaries tend to be more competitive on the lower end compared to the NFL.
As the NBA inches toward its first billion-dollar players, the trickle-down effect will surely benefit every member of an NBA team, including the athletic trainers.
NBA Athletic Trainers FAQ
- How much do NBA team athletic trainers make?
- NBA athletic trainers earn, on average, a base salary of $70,000 annually. Each NBA team hires its own athletic trainers so this number can vary significantly based on the team.
- What is the highest salary?
- The 75th percentile of the salary range for an NBA athletic trainer is $140,000. As previously mentioned, this range can vary based on the employer, performance, and experience of the athletic trainer.
- How do you become an athletic trainer for the NBA?
- NBA athletic trainers must first obtain a bachelor’s degree, then a master’s degree, and finally, a certification administered by the Board of Certification. The National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) states that athletic trainers partake in a mixture of professional education and hands-on learning. Once both are completed, the athletic trainer can gain experience through the high school, college, or G League level in hopes of working their way to the NBA.
The data was compiled from NATA, Indeed, Glassdoor, The Bureau of Labor Statistics, and NBATA.
