Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Atlanta, GA: $33.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Atlanta, GA runs $33.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,202 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Atlanta's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,524 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Atlanta, Georgia, can expect a median hourly pay of $33.27, which exceeds the national hourly median of $31.45. This competitive rate offers significant opportunities for part-time and per-diem roles across various settings, including high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and industrial workplaces. For example, part-time athletic trainers working three days a week can find themselves earning a solid income while balancing their schedules. The range of hourly wages in Atlanta spans from $25.31 for entry-level positions to $60.69 for top earners, as indicated by official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. This range allows for flexibility in career paths, whether trainers are focused on traditional sports or exploring industrial athletic training ventures.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.31 | $202.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.58 | $228.68 |
| Median (P50) | $33.27 | $266.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.65 | $349.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.69 | $485.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlanta
Based on $33.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.27/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlanta, GA can expect to earn approximately $69,206 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,927. With a cost-of-living index of 100.06 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Atlanta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlanta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,330.89 | $5,767 | $69,206 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $798.54 | $3,460 | $41,524 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $532.36 | $2,307 | $27,683 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Atlanta) | $33.27 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Athletic Trainers in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $69,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.79% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 10.90% above the Georgia state average of $62,401.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.27/hr = $41,524/year (purchasing power: $41,500).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,206/year (purchasing power: $69,166).
CoL index: 100.058 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Atlanta grew 32.0% from $24.10/hr (2019) to $31.80/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.81/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem athletic trainers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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.
Working as an Hourly Athletic Trainer in Atlanta
When considering the financial landscape, a part-time athletic trainer working 24 hours a week can anticipate a take-home income that aligns with a comfortable living, while still cherishing work-life balance. In contrast, per diem athletic trainer pay in Atlanta varies widely; event coverage can yield $200-$500 per game, and industrial athletic trainers billing at major corporations might earn between $50-$80 per hour. The type of employer significantly impacts hourly rates as well, with secondary schools offering lower wages compared to colleges and industrial settings, which provide more lucrative compensation. These trainers often weigh the trade-offs between obtaining health insurance at schools versus pursuing higher hourly pay without benefits in the industrial sector. For those looking to negotiate hourly rates in Atlanta, focusing on experience, specific skill sets, and the benefits of specialized training can lead to better compensation outcomes in this evolving field.
More salary data for Atlanta, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for athletic trainers in Atlanta. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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