Athletic Trainer Salary

Charlotte vs Statesville: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$59,608
$28.66/hr
Statesville, NC
$58,085
$27.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCStatesville, NC
Median Salary$59,608$58,085
Hourly Rate$28.66$27.93
Entry Level (P10)$49,689$46,113
25th Percentile$53,361$51,539
75th Percentile$67,518$68,813
Top Earner (P90)$80,544$80,436
Total Employed3107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($59,608) and Statesville ($58,085) athletic trainer salaries.CharlotteStatesvilleMedian Salary$59,608$58,085Entry Level (P10)$49,689$46,113Top Earner (P90)$80,544$80,436US Median $65,415

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Statesville is $1,523 (2.62%). 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,Statesville spans $34,323. Statesville 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
Statesville
P10 (Entry)$46,113
P25$51,539
Median$58,085
P75$68,813
P90 (Top)$80,436

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Statesville ($62,057 effective) pays 1.35% more than Charlotte ($61,232 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $59,608
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $61,232
Statesville
Nominal: $58,085
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $62,057

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)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Statesville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,057)
  • 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 10.8% growth in Statesville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+20.2%

$47,390 (2019) → $56,970 (2025)

Statesville, NC

+10.8%

$50,124 (2024) → $55,515 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Charlotte or Statesville?

Charlotte has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $59,608/year, compared to Statesville at $58,085/year — a difference of $1,523 (2.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Statesville?

Charlotte athletic trainers earn $28.66/hr while Statesville hygienists earn $27.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Statesville as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Statesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $61,232, Statesville = $62,057), job availability (310 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $49,689 in Charlotte and $46,113 in Statesville. 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