Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Nicholasville, KY: $27.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Nicholasville, KY runs $27.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,531 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Nicholasville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,525 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Nicholasville, Kentucky, the athletic trainer hourly pay is projected to stand at $27.66 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.45. This discrepancy reflects the local market conditions as well as the cost of living index in the area, which sits below the national average. For part-time athletic trainers working three days a week, the hourly rate translates to significant income, particularly when applied to various settings like high schools, colleges, and professional training rooms. The hourly range for this profession in Nicholasville spans from $21.61 for entry-level positions to $36.88 for the top earners. This range resembles what one might expect when viewing hourly earnings from an annual salary perspective, serving as a foundation for understanding how compensation plays out in real-world applications.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.61 | $172.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.31 | $194.44 |
| Median (P50) | $27.66 | $221.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.96 | $255.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.88 | $295.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nicholasville
Based on $27.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.66/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nicholasville, KY can expect to earn approximately $57,541 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,197. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nicholasville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nicholasville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,106.57 | $4,795 | $57,541 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $663.94 | $2,877 | $34,525 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $442.63 | $1,918 | $23,017 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Nicholasville) | $27.66 |
| 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 Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $57,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $58,407.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.66/hr = $34,525/year (purchasing power: $38,662).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,541/year (purchasing power: $64,436).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Nicholasville grew 29.1% from $20.49/hr (2019) to $26.44/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.95/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 Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville
Focusing on the practical financial implications, athletic trainers who work part-time—say, 24 hours a week—can expect to take home around $41,550 annually, contrasting sharply with those in full-time roles. Per diem work in Nicholasville offers varying pay rates, with game coverage typically rewarding trainers between $200-$500 per event, while industrial athletic trainers contracted by firms like Toyota and FedEx can charge between $50-$80 per hour. Additionally, opportunities in college bowl games or playoff events can provide stipends of $200-$1,000, highlighting the financial variability across settings. Athletic trainers in secondary schools might earn less due to budget constraints, while those in professional sports or industrial environments may command higher pay due to specialized demands. This often leads to a trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits versus slightly lower hourly compensation with health insurance coverage. Negotiating effectively in Nicholasville could involve understanding what local employers typically offer and valuing benefits against hourly wages to secure optimal employment conditions.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Nicholasville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Nicholasville 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