Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Gainesville, GA: $30.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Gainesville, GA runs $30.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,516 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Gainesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,515 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Gainesville, Georgia, the athletic trainer hourly pay is projected to be $30.06 as of 2026, slightly lower than the national hourly median of $31.45. For athletic trainers working in part-time roles, such as those in high school training rooms or outpatient clinics, this pay translates into about $600 weekly for a typical three-day work schedule. The potential for variation is significant, with entry-level positions starting lower while top earners in professional sports settings may reach around $40.50 per hour. This detailed pay structure comes from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, reflecting the trends impacting athletic trainers across various environments including colleges, military bases, and industrial clinics.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.06 | $240.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.06 | $240.48 |
| Median (P50) | $30.06 | $240.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.31 | $290.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.50 | $324.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gainesville
Based on $30.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.06/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gainesville, GA can expect to earn approximately $62,525 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,072. With a cost-of-living index of 96.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gainesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gainesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,202.41 | $5,210 | $62,525 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $721.44 | $3,126 | $37,515 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.96 | $2,084 | $25,010 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Gainesville) | $30.06 |
| 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 Gainesville, GA earn a median of $62,516 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.43% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.20% above the Georgia state average of $62,392.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.06/hr = $37,515/year (purchasing power: $38,769).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,525/year (purchasing power: $64,615).
CoL index: 96.766 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Gainesville grew 29.1% from $22.26/hr (2019) to $28.73/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.45/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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville
Evaluating the earnings diversified across various employment settings can reveal more about the financial opportunities in athletic training. For those working part-time three days a week, the annual take-home pay could average around $46,000, considerably less than a full-time role typically provides due to the reduced hours. On the other hand, per-diem work presents a different landscape; athletic trainers covering events can earn anywhere from $200 to $500 per game, making this a lucrative option for professionals willing to work flexible hours. Moreover, industrial settings often compensate athletic trainers at $50-$80 per hour, offering a financial edge over traditional school roles. A practical consideration arises when negotiating hourly rates; trainers might opt for lower pay with better benefits or higher hourly wages without these perks, highlighting the trade-offs in the field. Understanding these dynamics is essential for athletic trainers entering the workforce in Gainesville, particularly with the growing demand anticipated at a 4.63% annual growth rate, as indicated by projections based on 2025 BLS data.
More salary data for Gainesville, 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 Gainesville. 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, 2-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