Athletic Trainer Salary in North Carolina: $58,973 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $58,973/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,005 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Raleigh ($59,770), Cary ($59,485), Winston ($58,930).
Athletic trainers in North Carolina earn a projected average median salary of $58,974 in 2026, which is approximately 9.8% lower than the national median of $65,415. The urban landscape reveals significant salary variation, with Raleigh leading at $62,537 and High Point at the lower end with $53,827. This $8,710 difference can be attributed to factors such as local demand for sports medicine, the presence of educational institutions, and the overall cost of living in these areas. In North Carolina, athletic trainers must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to specific scope of practice laws, which can influence job responsibilities and market demand. The expected growth rate for this profession is 4.63% annually, signaling steady demand driven by an increasing focus on athletic health and safety across schools and professional sports. With a total of 1,213 athletic trainers currently employed across the state, cities like Cary, Winston-Salem, and Concord are also noteworthy, with projected salaries of $62,239, $60,703, and $60,583 respectively. As the need for athletic trainers continues to rise, driven by community engagement in sports and fitness programs, job opportunities are likely to expand, making it a relevant field for job seekers in the state.
North Carolina Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $40,785 (lowest entry-level) to $97,180 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina athletic trainers earn 9.85% less than the national median ($-6,442/year difference).
North Carolina Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in North Carolina range from $47,352 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,133 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,973. The North Carolina median is $6,442 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $28.35/hr. Approximately 1,213 athletic trainers are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,767
2025 BLS Actual
$56,364
2026 Current Est.
$58,973
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,767 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,338 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,701 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,796 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,255 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,103 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,364 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,973 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,704 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 23.2% from $45,767 (2019) to $56,364 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,704 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,937 (34.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| High Point | $53,827 |
| Pinehurst | $54,289 |
| Leland | $54,390 |
| Greensboro | $54,669 |
| Asheville | $55,046 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston | $61,658 | 92.043 | $66,988 |
| Cary | $62,239 | 93.6 | $66,495 |
| Winston-Salem | $60,703 | 93.6 | $64,854 |
| Concord | $60,583 | 93.6 | $64,725 |
| Durham | $60,356 | 93.6 | $64,483 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,352 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,973 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,133 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $62,537 |
| 2 | Cary | $62,239 |
| 3 | Winston | $61,658 |
| 4 | Winston-Salem | $60,703 |
| 5 | Concord | $60,583 |
| 6 | Durham | $60,356 |
| 7 | Charlotte | $59,608 |
| 8 | Fayetteville | $59,602 |
| 9 | Huntersville | $59,200 |
| 10 | Kannapolis | $59,107 |
| 11 | Apex | $58,967 |
| 12 | Jacksonville | $58,861 |
| 13 | Wilmington | $58,572 |
| 14 | Chapel Hill | $58,471 |
| 15 | Gastonia | $58,336 |
| 16 | Statesville | $58,085 |
| 17 | Kernersville | $58,035 |
| 18 | Matthews | $57,899 |
| 19 | Cornelius | $57,799 |
| 20 | Sanford | $57,748 |
| 21 | Wake Forest | $57,747 |
| 22 | Morrisville | $57,721 |
| 23 | Fuquay-Varina | $57,567 |
| 24 | Salisbury | $57,558 |
| 25 | Thomasville | $57,463 |
| 26 | New Bern | $57,440 |
| 27 | Mint Hill | $57,426 |
| 28 | Burlington | $57,385 |
| 29 | Greenville | $57,204 |
| 30 | Rocky Mount | $56,889 |
| 31 | Holly Springs | $56,517 |
| 32 | Mooresville | $56,340 |
| 33 | Monroe | $56,317 |
| 34 | Garner | $56,189 |
| 35 | Wilson | $56,149 |
| 36 | Hickory | $55,914 |
| 37 | Boone | $55,906 |
| 38 | Indian Trail | $55,421 |
| 39 | Carrboro | $55,205 |
| 40 | Asheville | $55,046 |
| 41 | Greensboro | $54,669 |
| 42 | Leland | $54,390 |
| 43 | Pinehurst | $54,289 |
| 44 | High Point | $53,827 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Compare Cities in North Carolina
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
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How many athletic trainers are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina 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 North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 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