Athletic Trainer Salary

Charlotte vs High Point: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Charlotte, NC and High Point, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$59,608
$28.66/hr
High Point, NC
$53,827
$25.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCHigh Point, NC
Median Salary$59,608$53,827
Hourly Rate$28.66$25.87
Entry Level (P10)$49,689$41,671
25th Percentile$53,361$47,358
75th Percentile$67,518$66,189
Top Earner (P90)$80,544$79,726
Total Employed31023
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($59,608) and High Point ($53,827) athletic trainer salaries.CharlotteHigh PointMedian Salary$59,608$53,827Entry Level (P10)$49,689$41,671Top Earner (P90)$80,544$79,726US Median $65,415

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to High Point.

The salary gap between Charlotte and High Point is $5,781 (10.74%). Charlotte's median is -8.88% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $30,855,High Point spans $38,055. High Point has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$49,689
P25$53,361
Median$59,608
P75$67,518
P90 (Top)$80,544
High Point
P10 (Entry)$41,671
P25$47,358
Median$53,827
P75$66,189
P90 (Top)$79,726

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($61,232 effective) pays 6.48% more than High Point ($57,507 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $59,608
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $61,232
High Point
Nominal: $53,827
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $57,507

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,608/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,544)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,232)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose High Point if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Charlotte grew 20.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.4% growth in High Point over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+20.2%

$47,390 (2019) → $56,970 (2025)

High Point, NC

+2.4%

$50,263 (2024) → $51,445 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Charlotte or High Point?

Charlotte has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $59,608/year, compared to High Point at $53,827/year — a difference of $5,781 (10.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and High Point?

Charlotte athletic trainers earn $28.66/hr while High Point hygienists earn $25.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to High Point as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and High Point. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $61,232, High Point = $57,507), job availability (310 vs 23 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Charlotte vs High Point?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $49,689 in Charlotte and $41,671 in High Point. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in athletic training. She specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has worked at several high schools and collegiate athletic programs.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gomez, MS, ATCData verified by David Kim, BS, ATC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov