Athletic Trainer Salary in Kentucky: $62,392 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $62,392/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $69,868 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Ashland ($65,135), Lexington ($61,710), Louisville ($60,868).
In Kentucky, the projected average median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $62,392, which is approximately 4.6% lower than the national median of $65,415. The highest-paying city is Ashland, with an average salary of $68,151, while Murray offers the lowest at $54,636, reflecting a salary gap of $13,515. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for athletic trainers in specific regions, and the availability of sports programs and institutions. Kentucky has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence training and employment opportunities in the field. The demand for athletic trainers is expected to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.63%, which aligns with national trends in healthcare and sports industries. Key cities for employment include Lexington at $64,567 and Louisville at $63,686, indicating concentrated opportunities in urban areas. The overall job market for athletic trainers in Kentucky appears stable, driven by increased awareness of health and fitness, ensuring a steady pipeline for new professionals entering the field.
Kentucky Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $43,522 (lowest entry-level) to $93,573 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky athletic trainers earn 4.62% less than the national median ($-3,023/year difference).
Kentucky Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Kentucky range from $47,337 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,898 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,392. The Kentucky median is $3,023 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $30.00/hr. Approximately 703 athletic trainers are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,188
2025 BLS Actual
$59,631
2026 Current Est.
$62,392
2019–2027 Growth
+44.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,188 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,879 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,121 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,172 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,474 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,855 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,631 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,392 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,281 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 32.0% from $45,188 (2019) to $59,631 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,281 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,093 (44.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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 Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murray | $54,636 |
| Jeffersontown | $55,455 |
| Paducah | $55,522 |
| Madisonville | $55,651 |
| Georgetown | $55,858 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland | $68,151 | 89.3 | $76,317 |
| Louisville | $63,686 | 89.3 | $71,317 |
| Lexington | $64,567 | 92.889 | $69,510 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $62,977 | 93.074 | $67,663 |
| Owensboro | $58,892 | 89.3 | $65,948 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,337 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,392 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,898 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashland | $68,151 |
| 2 | Lexington | $64,567 |
| 3 | Louisville | $63,686 |
| 4 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $62,977 |
| 5 | Bowling Green | $59,252 |
| 6 | Owensboro | $58,892 |
| 7 | Independence | $57,952 |
| 8 | Florence | $57,884 |
| 9 | Covington | $57,640 |
| 10 | Nicholasville | $57,531 |
| 11 | Richmond | $57,517 |
| 12 | Frankfort | $57,222 |
| 13 | Henderson | $57,127 |
| 14 | Elizabethtown | $57,086 |
| 15 | Hopkinsville | $56,923 |
| 16 | Radcliff | $56,054 |
| 17 | Georgetown | $55,858 |
| 18 | Madisonville | $55,651 |
| 19 | Paducah | $55,522 |
| 20 | Jeffersontown | $55,455 |
| 21 | Murray | $54,636 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Kentucky
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Kentucky?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky 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 Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 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