Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in North Charleston, SC: $32.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in North Charleston, SC runs $32.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,991 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against North Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,192 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in North Charleston, SC, can expect a median hourly pay of $32.21, which is notably higher than the national median of $31.45. This hourly rate is essential for part-time trainers, who may work in various environments such as high schools, colleges, or outpatient clinics. Those working three days a week can still earn a respectable income by clocking around 24 hours per week, offering flexibility in scheduling that full-time roles may not provide. The pay range is diverse, with entry-level positions starting around $23.21 per hour, while experienced trainers can command up to $45.63 per hour. Hourly rates are derived from estimated annual salaries, reflecting the variability in the athletic trainer professional landscape across different types of organizations in North Charleston.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.21 | $185.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.05 | $232.36 |
| Median (P50) | $32.21 | $257.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.38 | $307.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.63 | $365.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Charleston
Based on $32.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.21/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $66,987 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,646. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in North Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,288.20 | $5,582 | $66,987 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $772.92 | $3,349 | $40,192 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $515.28 | $2,233 | $26,795 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (North Charleston) | $32.21 |
| 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 North Charleston, SC earn a median of $66,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.41% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 10.10% above the South Carolina state average of $60,846.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.21/hr = $40,192/year (purchasing power: $43,926).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,987/year (purchasing power: $73,209).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in North Charleston grew 29.1% from $23.85/hr (2019) to $30.78/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.70/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 North Charleston 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 North Charleston
For those considering part-time options, the earning potential can vary significantly. A part-time athletic trainer working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, might earn an annual take-home that contrasts with what their full-time counterparts make, emphasizing the balance of hours worked versus income received. Per-diem roles, popular for covering specific events, can yield anywhere from $200 to $500 per game, a lucrative option for trainers who prefer flexibility. Additionally, industrial athletic trainers, often employed in settings such as Toyota or Boeing clinics, can earn between $50 and $80 per hour, showcasing the disparity between traditional and industrial athletic training jobs. As some trainers weigh the option of accepting positions with lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, negotiation becomes vital. Understanding the specifics of hourly compensation across various employer types in North Charleston—whether in schools, colleges, professional sports, or the industrial sector—can aid trainers in finding roles that align with their financial and professional goals.
More salary data for North Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in North Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in North Charleston?
Are athletic trainers in North Charleston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in North Charleston?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in North Charleston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 North Charleston. 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 North Charleston 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