Athletic Trainer Salary

Statesville vs Winston: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

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

Statesville, NC
$58,085
$27.93/hr
Winston, NC
$61,658
$29.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricStatesville, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$58,085$61,658
Hourly Rate$27.93$29.64
Entry Level (P10)$46,113$51,970
25th Percentile$51,539$54,115
75th Percentile$68,813$64,442
Top Earner (P90)$80,436$80,565
Total Employed7120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Statesville ($58,085) and Winston ($61,658) athletic trainer salaries.StatesvilleWinstonMedian Salary$58,085$61,658Entry Level (P10)$46,113$51,970Top Earner (P90)$80,436$80,565US Median $65,415

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Statesville and Winston is $3,573 (6.15%). Winston's median is -5.74% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Statesville spans $34,323,Winston spans $28,595. Statesville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Statesville
P10 (Entry)$46,113
P25$51,539
Median$58,085
P75$68,813
P90 (Top)$80,436
Winston
P10 (Entry)$51,970
P25$54,115
Median$61,658
P75$64,442
P90 (Top)$80,565

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Winston ($66,988 effective) pays 7.95% more than Statesville ($62,057 effective).

Statesville
Nominal: $58,085
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $62,057
Winston
Nominal: $61,658
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $66,988

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Statesville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,658/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,565)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,988)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Statesville grew 10.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.2% growth in Winston over the same period.

Statesville, NC

+10.8%

$50,124 (2024) → $55,515 (2025)

Winston, NC

+36.2%

$43,260 (2019) → $58,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Statesville or Winston?

Winston has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $61,658/year, compared to Statesville at $58,085/year — a difference of $3,573 (6.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Statesville and Winston?

Statesville athletic trainers earn $27.93/hr while Winston hygienists earn $29.64/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Statesville and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Statesville = $62,057, Winston = $66,988), job availability (7 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $46,113 in Statesville and $51,970 in Winston. The Winston 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