Salary survey of certified athletic trainers in delaware, new jersey, new york, and pennsylvania.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to obtain salary information from certified athletic trainers in District Two of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) for use as a reference guide to assist entry-level and experienced ATCs interested in obtaining athletic training positions in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.


METHODS
Mailed survey, sample of convenience. This study was conducted in the Sports Medicine Department of a children's hospital.


METHODS
A survey was sent to all 2,274 certified members of District Two. Of the surveys mailed, 970 (42.7%) were returned. Of the surveys returned, 725 (74.7%) were from full-time athletic trainers, 105 (10.8%) were from part-time athletic trainers, and 140 (14.4%) were unusable.


METHODS
A survey consisting of 15 questions related to salaries and demographics of the athletic trainers' employment settings.


RESULTS
Forty-eight percent of the respondents were employed in the clinic or hospital setting, and almost 48% of those responding possessed a master's degree. The state with the highest response rate was Pennsylvania with 45% of the total. The highest rate of response according to experience was 27% from athletic trainers having 4 to 6 years of experience. According to practice setting, the lowest mean salary was $32,928 +/- $10,098 at the college or university level, and the highest was $59,778 +/- $48,803 at the professional sport level. According to education level, the lowest mean salary was $30,132 +/- $9,584 (bachelor's degree), and the highest was $48,070 +/- $12,973 (PT or ATC). The mean salary by state was lowest in Delaware ($32,330 +/- $12,865) and highest in New Jersey ($36,695 +/- $12,593). The highest mean salary by years of experience was $57,308 +/- $30,723 (25 years or more).


CONCLUSIONS
Further comparative studies in this area need to be conducted to recognize current trends with the intent of establishing national or regional standards of salary compensation for certified athletic trainers.
James Somerville is Athletic Trainer at Sports Medicine Department, Alfred I. duPont Institute Pediatric Hospital, Wilmington, DE.
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Somerville
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Stanwood