Athletic Trainer Salary in Macon, GA: $62,035 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Macon, GA earns a median $62,035/year (≈ $29.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Macon's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $70,074 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Macon, Georgia, athletic trainers can expect to see a median annual salary of $62,035 in 2026, which represents a slight decrease compared to the national median of $65,415 for the same year. Salaries for this occupation range from $50,683 at the lowest 10th percentile to $77,018 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse salary landscape within the city. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, illustrate the trade-offs in employment settings: athletic trainers working in traditional school environments may find their pay more modest compared to their peers in industrial roles, where compensation can be significantly higher. The job market for athletic trainers in Macon reveals opportunities that reflect local dynamics, with a blend of educational institutions and potential industrial employers shaping salary prospects.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,683 | $24.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,493 | $25.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,035 | $29.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,036 | $32.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,018 | $37.03 |
Median Salary Position
5.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Macon
In Macon, GA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,335 (2026 est.). At $62,035, the local median is 5.17% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Macon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Macon Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Macon median: $62,035/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Macon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $62,410 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -5.17% less |
Athletic Trainers in Macon, GA earn a median of $62,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.17% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.60% below the Georgia state average of $62,410.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Macon has a cost of living 11.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Macon, GA has a cost-of-living index of 88.528 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,035 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,074 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.96% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$45,937
2025 BLS Actual
$59,290
2026 Current Est.
$62,035
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Macon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,937 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,035 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,907 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Macon metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $45,937 (2019) to $59,290 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,907 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,970 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Macon 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) | $50,683 – $52,493 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,493 – $62,035 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,035 – $67,036 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,036 – $77,018 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Macon
In evaluating the athletic trainer pay in Macon, GA, it’s important to consider the local job market, which includes about 40 employed athletic trainers. This area's cost of living index of 88.528 indicates that daily expenses are below the national average, allowing for a more favorable take-home purchasing power among athletic trainers. While high school athletic training roles typically offer lower salaries, positions at colleges, universities, and particularly in industrial settings — such as those with companies like Toyota or FedEx — tend to provide better compensation packages. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors including the nature of the employment (professional sports versus educational institutions), whether the role is a school-year contract or year-round, and additional responsibilities like being a head trainer versus an assistant. To maximize earning potential in Macon, pursuing additional certifications like Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) or working in industrial health settings can significantly enhance career prospects and overall salary.
More salary data for Macon, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Macon, GA in 2026?
Is Macon, GA a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Macon?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Macon?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in Macon?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 $59,290 for athletic trainersin the Macon 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