Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Burlington, NC: $45,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Burlington, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $45,541 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $48,655 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($57,385) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected starting athletic trainer salary in Burlington, North Carolina of $45,541 in 2026, new graduates entering the field might find themselves at a modest beginning compared to the median annual salary of $57,385 for the area. This means that early-career professionals in athletic training can expect a significant gap when starting. However, as they develop their skills and gain experience over the first three to five years of their careers, they could see their earnings rise to the 25th percentile at $51,338 and potentially reach the median as their expertise grows. Given the expected 4.63% annual growth rate in salaries for this profession, the Burlington market appears to offer reasonable potential for incoming athletic trainers, setting them up for a promising start in their new careers.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
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 Burlington
Entry-level athletic trainers in Burlington, NC typically start between $45,541 and $51,338 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $38,367 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $57,385 — 12.28% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in North Carolina of $48,000 represents just 105.40% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($45,541/year) in Burlington. 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 Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $45,541 to $51,338, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, 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 Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington'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 Burlington is $38,367 ( 84.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $45,541, experienced hygienists can earn up to $83,908.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,277
2025 BLS Actual
$43,526
2026 Current Est.
$45,541
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,277 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,794 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,838 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,009 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,436 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,526 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,650 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, NC grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,277 in 2019 to $43,526 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,650. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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 Burlington
Employers in Burlington typically recruit entry-level athletic trainers from high school athletic training services, which are often managed by hospital sports medicine programs. New grads may also find opportunities in industrial settings, as companies in manufacturing and distribution increasingly turn to athletic trainers, often offering salaries that can be 30-50% higher than those in traditional educational roles. To enhance their starting pay, graduates should pursue credentials such as a master's degree from a CAATE-accredited program, pass the BOC national exam to earn their ATC credential, and obtain a state license. Those interested in specializing further might consider additional certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT. Within the first few years in Burlington, dedicated new athletic trainers can aim for incremental salary growth as they gain experience, build networks, and demonstrate their value in a field that is evolving with increased demand.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
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 Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington 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