Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Evans, GA: $50,547 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Evans, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $50,547 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Evans's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $54,293 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($60,522) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the athletic training field in Evans, GA, can anticipate starting salaries around $50,547, which is slightly lower than the city's median annual salary for athletic trainers at $60,522. This creates a noticeable gap for newcomers as they adapt to the workforce. However, within the first three to five years of practice, entry-level professionals can expect to see significant incremental increases in pay, advancing to approximately $55,736 and possibly reaching further towards the median as they gain experience. The prospective growth rate of 4.63% annually indicates that Evans is a viable market for new graduates seeking stable employment and reasonable salary progression in athletic training.
About the Evans Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Evans
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evans
Entry-level athletic trainers in Evans, GA typically start between $50,547 and $55,736 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $30,634 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $60,522 — 7.48% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Georgia of $48,000 represents just 94.96% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($50,547/year) in Evans. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAATE-accredited Master of Science in Athletic Training programs. Tuition varies between public in-state and private institutions; the BOC certification exam is required after graduation for practice.
AT, ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Evans
- 1Research the Evans market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $50,547 to $55,736, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the athletic training field — employers in GA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Evans, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Evans for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Evans's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Athletic Trainer Compensation Range
The athletic trainer wage spread in Evans is $30,634 ( 60.60%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $50,547, experienced hygienists can earn up to $81,181.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,384
2025 BLS Actual
$48,310
2026 Current Est.
$50,547
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Evans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,384 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,069 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,777 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,297 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,547 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,887 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Evans, GA grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,384 in 2019 to $48,310 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $52,887. New graduates entering the Evans job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evans metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your athletic training Career in Evans
In Evans, high school athletic training services, often outsourced to hospital sports medicine programs, are among the primary employers of entry-level athletic trainers. New graduates should seek positions in these schools to gain practical experience, as collegiate roles typically require prior internship experience. Earning a Master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program, passing the BOC national exam for the ATC credential, and obtaining a state license are crucial for establishing a solid foundation in this profession. In Georgia, those entering industrial settings can expect significantly higher compensation, with potential pay increases of 30-50% compared to typical school roles. For a new grad in this field, realistic salary growth in the first few years could reach the upper levels of entry pay, enabling a smoother financial transition into the profession.
More salary data for Evans, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new athletic training graduates. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Evans. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Evans is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for athletic trainers (SOC 29-9091).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov