Athletic Trainer Salary in Apex, NC: $58,967 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Apex, NC earns a median $58,967/year (≈ $28.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $62,999 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Apex, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $58,967, which falls below the national average of $65,415. The local figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic factors, reveal a salary range extending from $44,895 at the 10th percentile to $81,391 at the 90th percentile. This disparity underscores the significant pay gap that can arise between those in traditional school settings and their counterparts working in industrial or professional sports environments. In Apex, the demand for skilled athletic trainers remains robust, shaped by local industries and the specific needs of the community, creating unique compensation circumstances.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,895 | $21.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,393 | $25.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,967 | $28.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,255 | $33.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,391 | $39.13 |
Median Salary Position
9.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,496 (2026 est.). At $58,967, the local median is 9.86% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Apex median: $58,967/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,557 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -9.86% less |
Athletic Trainers in Apex, NC earn a median of $58,967 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.86% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $58,557.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $58,967 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,999 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,666
2025 BLS Actual
$56,358
2026 Current Est.
$58,967
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,666 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,946 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,648 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,534 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,885 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,358 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,967 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,698 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $43,666 (2019) to $56,358 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,698 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,032 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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) | $44,895 – $53,393 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,393 – $58,967 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,967 – $69,255 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,255 – $81,391 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Apex
The job market for athletic trainers in Apex, with only 16 professionals currently employed in the field, reflects a competitive landscape. Given the cost of living index of 93.6, athletic trainer pay in Apex NC affords a reasonable quality of life, though the purchasing power may not match more affluent areas. Those hiring typically include secondary schools and outpatient clinics, but the highest salaries usually go to positions within industrial health sectors or professional sports teams. Factors influencing compensation include the setting—where industrial athletic trainers often earn significantly more—as well as the specifics of each role, such as head trainer versus assistant positions. To maximize earning potential, professionals should seek out additional certifications and consider roles that require year-round contracts or those offering stipends for extra duties outside standard hours. Understanding these dynamics is essential in navigating the local athletic trainer salary in Apex.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
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 $56,358 for athletic trainersin the Apex 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 Apex 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