Athletic Trainer Salary in Athens, GA: $67,581 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Athens, GA earns a median $67,581/year (≈ $32.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $72,401 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Athens, Georgia, earn a median annual salary of $67,581 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the national median of $65,415. This salary range spans from $34,549 at the lower end (P10) to $178,603 at the upper end (P90), as indicated in projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. The pay dynamics are influenced by the structural divide between industrial and traditional sports settings, which can create significant compensation variations in the local job market. In Athens, employment opportunities span across educational institutions, professional sports, and industrial health sectors, providing diverse pathways for athletic trainers to maximize their earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,549 | $16.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,585 | $26.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,581 | $32.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,586 | $42.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,603 | $85.87 |
Median Salary Position
3.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $144,054 (2026 est.). At $67,581, the local median is 3.31% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Athens Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Athens median: $67,581/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $62,401 | +8.30% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +3.31% more |
Athletic Trainers in Athens, GA earn a median of $67,581 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.31% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 8.30% above the Georgia state average of $62,401.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $67,581 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,401 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,044
2025 BLS Actual
$64,590
2026 Current Est.
$67,581
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,044 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,581 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,709 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $50,044 (2019) to $64,590 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,709 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,665 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $34,549 – $54,585 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,585 – $67,581 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,581 – $87,586 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,586 – $178,603 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Athens
In 2026, Athens hosts about 130 employed athletic trainers, a number that signifies a robust local job market. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.343, which is below the national average, effectively enhancing the purchasing power of athletic trainer salaries. The highest pay typically comes from collegiate and professional sports environments, where the demand for year-round contracts is greater. Factors such as the setting—between industrial, collegiate, and high school levels—along with roles (head vs. assistant athletic trainer) and added specializations (like CSCS, OCS-AT certification) create a broad spectrum of earnings potential. Athletic trainers aiming to maximize their pay in Athens may consider securing positions in higher-paying workplaces, obtaining relevant certifications, and seeking out opportunities that offer stipends for evening or weekend events, thus capitalizing on the evolving landscape of the profession.
More salary data for Athens, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $64,590 for athletic trainersin the Athens metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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