Athletic Trainer Salary in Burlington, NC: $57,385 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Burlington, NC earns a median $57,385/year (≈ $27.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $61,309 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $57,385, reflecting the local labor market's dynamics in the context of education and setting. With a salary range spanning from $45,541 at the 10th percentile to $83,908 at the 90th percentile, professionals in this field have varied earning potentials based on their roles and work environments. Most athletic trainers in Burlington have historically been employed in educational settings, such as high schools, but there is also a growing opportunity in industrial settings, which are becoming more lucrative. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they highlight Burlington's distinct compensation profile, particularly in light of a national median of $65,415.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,541 | $21.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,338 | $24.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,385 | $27.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,217 | $33.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,908 | $40.35 |
Median Salary Position
12.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,367 (2026 est.). At $57,385, the local median is 12.28% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Burlington median: $57,385/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,556 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -12.28% less |
Athletic Trainers in Burlington, NC earn a median of $57,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.28% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.00% below the North Carolina state average of $58,556.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington 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.
Burlington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,385 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,309 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,494
2025 BLS Actual
$54,846
2026 Current Est.
$57,385
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,494 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,477 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,231 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,819 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,846 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,385 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,042 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,494 (2019) to $54,846 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,042 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,548 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $45,541 – $51,338 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,338 – $57,385 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,385 – $70,217 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,217 – $83,908 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Burlington
The local job market for athletic trainers shows a modest size, with approximately 14 active professionals in Burlington. Given the area's cost of living index of 93.6, athletic trainers need to consider their take-home purchasing power carefully. Typically, those in industrial and occupational health settings—like Toyota or FedEx—earn the highest salaries due to the nature of year-round contracts, contrasting with those in secondary school positions, who often work under school-year contracts. Factors contributing to salary differences include the workplace setting (e.g., professional sports usually offer more than schools), additional responsibilities such as head athletic trainer versus assistant roles, and the inclusion of stipends for extra events. For athletic trainers aspiring to boost their earnings in Burlington, seeking certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT can enhance marketability and compensation opportunities. Understanding the implications of working in different environments will also help professionals navigate their career paths more effectively in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Burlington, 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 $54,846 for athletic trainersin the Burlington 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 Burlington 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