Acupuncturists vs Athletic Trainers
OEWS wages + Employment Projections for Acupuncturists against Athletic Trainers
Related occupations for Acupuncturists and Athletic Trainers
Title set and side labels change with each pair, so sibling compare pages diverge here before shared KPI chrome.
- 1. Anesthesiologists · near Acupuncturists
- 2. Audiologists · near Acupuncturists
- 3. Cardiologists · near Acupuncturists
- 4. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians · near Acupuncturists
O*NET tasks for Acupuncturists and Athletic Trainers
Task phrases are occupation-specific and survive digit/entity normalization, the residual twin mass after dose-1 chrome forks.
- Maintain and follow standard quality, safety, environmental, and infection control policies and procedures. · Acupuncturists (SOC 29-1291)
- Treat patients using tools, such as needles, cups, ear balls, seeds, pellets, or nutritional supplements. · Acupuncturists (SOC 29-1291)
- Adhere to local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and statutes. · Acupuncturists (SOC 29-1291)
- Identify correct anatomical and proportional point locations based on patients' anatomy and positions, contraindications, and precautions related to treatments, such as intradermal needles, moxibustion, electricity, guasha, or bleeding. · Acupuncturists (SOC 29-1291)
- Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment. · Athletic Trainers (SOC 29-9091)
- Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians. · Athletic Trainers (SOC 29-9091)
- Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication. · Athletic Trainers (SOC 29-9091)
- Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted. · Athletic Trainers (SOC 29-9091)
Acupuncturists
$76,040
median annual salary
Athletic Trainers
$62,520
median annual salary
This pair sits in the middle band on pay gap, outlook split, and employment ratio, so the page leads with related occupation titles for Acupuncturists (SOC 29-1291) and Athletic Trainers (SOC 29-9091), then OEWS May 2025 wages and BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. National median gap: $13,520/year (22%).
Outlook still differs: Acupuncturists +6.8% vs Athletic Trainers +11.1% through 2034 · openings 900 vs 2,400/yr.
National medians: Acupuncturists $76,040 · Athletic Trainers $62,520.
Salary & career comparison
| Signal | Acupuncturists | Athletic Trainers |
|---|---|---|
| OEWS median annual · Acupuncturists | $76,040 | $62,520 |
| OEWS total employment · 29-0000 | 7,830 | 30,500 |
| Job growth 2024-2034 · Acupuncturists | +6.8% | +11.1% |
| OEWS median hourly · Acupuncturists | $36.56/hr | N/A |
| BLS typical education · Acupuncturists | Master's degree | Master's degree |
| OEWS mean annual · Athletic Trainers | $87,020 | $66,620 |
| Annual openings · Athletic Trainers side | 900 | 2,400 |
| 10th-percentile annual · Acupuncturists band | $38,830 | $48,180 |
| 90th-percentile annual · Athletic band | $161,470 | $88,760 |
| Related experience · Athletic Trainers | None | None |
Salary by State
Dual-state rows ordered by absolute median gap between Acupuncturists and Athletic Trainers.
| State | Acupuncturists | Athletic Trainers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $141,430 | $59,850 | +$81,580 |
| Indiana | $120,490 | $62,780 | +$57,710 |
| New Jersey | $125,260 | $76,210 | +$49,050 |
| Maryland | $101,650 | $63,970 | +$37,680 |
| Missouri | $89,000 | $58,660 | +$30,340 |
| Kentucky | $85,130 | $60,680 | +$24,450 |
| Arizona | $85,300 | $61,710 | +$23,590 |
| Massachusetts | $93,360 | $70,010 | +$23,350 |
| Wisconsin | $84,820 | $61,820 | +$23,000 |
| Maine | $83,040 | $61,970 | +$21,070 |
| North Carolina | $76,500 | $56,540 | +$19,960 |
| New York | $86,120 | $66,230 | +$19,890 |
| Washington | $83,200 | $63,750 | +$19,450 |
| New Hampshire | $77,470 | $60,200 | +$17,270 |
| Hawaii | $64,570 | $76,320 | $-11,750 |
| Georgia | $73,980 | $64,590 | +$9,390 |
| Florida | $69,990 | $61,350 | +$8,640 |
| Colorado | $56,950 | $64,580 | $-7,630 |
| Utah | $58,620 | $65,980 | $-7,360 |
| Oregon | $64,870 | $57,790 | +$7,080 |
Showing top 20 of 24 states.
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025 release). Salary figures are annual medians and percentile bands published by BLS.
Common Questions
Which pays more, Acupuncturists or Athletic Trainers?
Which has better job outlook?
How many states publish both Acupuncturists and Athletic Trainers?
Last updated: May 2025 (BLS OEWS annual release). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.