Athletic Trainer Salary in Georgia: $65,511 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $65,511/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,366 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sandy Springs ($67,434), Atlanta ($66,140), Roswell ($64,640).
The projected average median salary for athletic trainers in Georgia in 2026 is $65,511, which is slightly above the national median of $65,415, reflecting a positive trend within the state at 0.1% higher than the national average. The salary range among cities varies significantly, with Sandy Springs offering the highest salary at $70,556, while Griffin presents the lowest at $58,040. This salary gap of $12,516 can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for sports and healthcare services, and the concentration of professional sports teams in metropolitan areas. In Georgia, athletic trainers must adhere to state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence their roles and responsibilities. The job market for athletic trainers is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.63%, showcasing a steady demand driven by increasing awareness of sports safety and healthcare. Key cities anticipated to lead in salary projections include Atlanta at $69,202, Roswell at $67,633, and Athens at $67,581. With a total of 939 employed athletic trainers and a diverse array of working environments, Georgia presents a favorable landscape for those entering the profession.
Georgia Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $34,549 (lowest entry-level) to $178,603 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia athletic trainers earn 0.15% more than the national median (+$96/year difference).
Georgia Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Georgia range from $48,480 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $114,394 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,511. The Georgia median is $96 above the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $31.50/hr. Approximately 939 athletic trainers are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,256
2025 BLS Actual
$62,612
2026 Current Est.
$65,511
2019–2027 Growth
+39.2%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,256 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,676 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,499 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,861 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,757 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,171 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,612 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,511 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,544 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 27.1% from $49,256 (2019) to $62,612 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,544 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,288 (39.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Griffin | $58,040 |
| Canton | $59,142 |
| Tucker | $59,282 |
| Peachtree City | $59,432 |
| Cartersville | $59,434 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Springs | $70,556 | 93.1 | $75,785 |
| Roswell | $67,633 | 93.1 | $72,646 |
| Athens | $67,581 | 93.343 | $72,401 |
| Macon | $62,035 | 88.528 | $70,074 |
| Atlanta | $69,202 | 100.058 | $69,162 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,480 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,511 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $114,394 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandy Springs | $70,556 |
| 2 | Atlanta | $69,202 |
| 3 | Roswell | $67,633 |
| 4 | Athens | $67,581 |
| 5 | Alpharetta | $63,030 |
| 6 | Columbus | $62,985 |
| 7 | South Fulton | $62,957 |
| 8 | Gainesville | $62,516 |
| 9 | Brookhaven | $62,392 |
| 10 | Savannah | $62,276 |
| 11 | Macon | $62,035 |
| 12 | Lawrenceville | $61,960 |
| 13 | Statesboro | $61,892 |
| 14 | Warner Robins | $61,820 |
| 15 | Albany | $61,820 |
| 16 | Woodstock | $61,820 |
| 17 | Stockbridge | $61,728 |
| 18 | Pooler | $61,641 |
| 19 | Valdosta | $61,582 |
| 20 | Marietta | $61,261 |
| 21 | Peachtree Corners | $61,252 |
| 22 | Johns Creek | $60,989 |
| 23 | Hinesville | $60,643 |
| 24 | Evans | $60,522 |
| 25 | Douglasville | $60,464 |
| 26 | Dunwoody | $60,460 |
| 27 | Smyrna | $60,396 |
| 28 | Dalton | $60,222 |
| 29 | Augusta | $60,183 |
| 30 | McDonough | $60,139 |
| 31 | Newnan | $60,042 |
| 32 | Milton | $60,018 |
| 33 | Kennesaw | $59,568 |
| 34 | Rome | $59,485 |
| 35 | Cartersville | $59,434 |
| 36 | Peachtree City | $59,432 |
| 37 | Tucker | $59,282 |
| 38 | Canton | $59,142 |
| 39 | Griffin | $58,040 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Georgia?
How does Georgia athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Georgia?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 athletic trainer compensation across Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more athletic trainerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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