Athletic Trainer Salary in Nicholasville, KY: $57,531 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Nicholasville, KY earns a median $57,531/year (≈ $27.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Nicholasville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $64,424 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Nicholasville, KY, can expect a median annual salary of $57,531, reflecting a shift in the profession following the 2022 master's degree requirement for entry-level positions. This salary is notably lower than the national median of $65,415, illustrating a regional disparity. The local compensation ranges markedly from $44,944 at the 10th percentile to $76,704 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities based on experience, setting, and specific job roles. These figures, derived from state-level data with regional price parity adjustments, suggest that those seeking to work as an athletic trainer in Nicholasville will find various options depending on their career path within the field.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,944 | $21.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,565 | $24.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,531 | $27.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,481 | $31.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,704 | $36.88 |
Median Salary Position
12.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, KY, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,760 (2026 est.). At $57,531, the local median is 12.05% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nicholasville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nicholasville Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Nicholasville median: $57,531/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nicholasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $58,407 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -12.05% less |
Athletic Trainers in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $57,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $58,407.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nicholasville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nicholasville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,531 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,424 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% 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
$42,602
2025 BLS Actual
$54,985
2026 Current Est.
$57,531
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,602 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,851 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,584 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,351 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,948 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,733 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,985 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,531 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,194 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,602 (2019) to $54,985 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,194 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,592 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville 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) | $44,944 – $50,565 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,565 – $57,531 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,531 – $66,481 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,481 – $76,704 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Nicholasville
The job market for athletic trainers in Nicholasville is relatively small, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index for Nicholasville stands at 89.3, which can enhance the purchasing power of an athletic trainer's salary despite the lower-than-average pay compared to national figures. Among local employers, secondary schools typically offer these roles, but athletic trainers in industrial settings, such as those at Toyota or Boeing, may see compensation upwards of 30-50% higher than their counterparts in educational institutions. Pay disparities in this sector often arise from differences in job responsibilities, such as full-time versus part-time contracts, and additional stipends for events outside traditional hours. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring athletic trainers should leverage specialized certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT, consider opportunities in industrial health, and seek experience in roles that include expanded responsibilities beyond traditional athletic training.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Nicholasville, KY in 2026?
Is Nicholasville, KY a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Nicholasville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Nicholasville?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in Nicholasville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $54,985 for athletic trainersin the Nicholasville 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
Salary data for Nicholasville 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