Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Winston, NC: $29.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Winston, NC runs $29.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,658 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Winston's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,993 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winston, North Carolina, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $29.64, which is slightly below the national median hourly figure of $31.45. This hourly rate translates into meaningful income for those working part-time in various settings such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and outpatient clinics. For instance, trainers working three days a week could expect to earn a significant part-time income, while those in per-diem positions might earn even more when covering events. The hourly range varies widely from $24.99 for entry-level positions to $38.73 for top earners, reflecting the diversity of experience and employer types in the region, whether they are involved in occupational health, professional sports, or educational institutions. This data comes from projections developed based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.99 | $199.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.02 | $208.17 |
| Median (P50) | $29.64 | $237.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.98 | $247.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.73 | $309.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winston
Based on $29.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.64/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winston, NC can expect to earn approximately $61,655 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,570. With a cost-of-living index of 92.04 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,185.67 | $5,138 | $61,655 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $711.40 | $3,083 | $36,993 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $474.27 | $2,055 | $24,662 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Winston) | $29.64 |
| 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 Winston, NC earn a median of $61,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.74% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 5.30% above the North Carolina state average of $58,555.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.64/hr = $36,993/year (purchasing power: $40,191).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,655/year (purchasing power: $66,985).
CoL index: 92.043 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Winston grew 36.2% from $20.80/hr (2019) to $28.33/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.01/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 Winston 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 Winston
When evaluating the earning potential of athletic trainers in Winston, those working part-time at 24 hours a week, for example, would take home around $38,000 annually, which is substantially less than full-time trainers who earn about $61,658 on an annual basis. Per-diem jobs may offer even higher earnings; coverage for games often pays between $200-$500 per event, and industrial athletic trainers at large facilities like Toyota or FedEx can command rates of $50-$80 per hour. Additionally, college bowl games and playoff coverage can provide stipends ranging from $200 to $1,000 per game. It's crucial to understand that hourly rates can differ based on the employer, with industrial and occupational settings generally providing more lucrative pay compared to secondary education roles. As some athletic trainers opt for higher hourly wages without benefits, practical strategies for negotiation in Winston may include emphasizing specialized skills and the increasing demand for certified professionals in the field due to the transition to a master's level requirement as of 2022.
More salary data for Winston, 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
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 Winston. 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