Athletic Trainer Salary in Cary, NC: $62,239 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Cary, NC earns a median $62,239/year (≈ $29.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $66,495 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is anticipated to be $62,239. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $65,415, representing a difference of about 4.86%. Athletic trainers in Cary can expect a salary range from $49,159 at the lower end (P10) to $91,057 at the upper end (P90), with local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments reflecting Cary's unique economic landscape. This market context suggests that while the salary is competitive, it also highlights the need for prospective athletic trainers to consider factors such as education and setting, especially following the master's degree requirement that shifted the entry compensation benchmarks after 2022.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,159 | $23.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,557 | $26.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,239 | $29.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,612 | $35.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,057 | $43.78 |
Median Salary Position
4.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,898 (2026 est.). At $62,239, the local median is 4.86% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Cary median: $62,239/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,550 | +6.30% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.86% less |
Athletic Trainers in Cary, NC earn a median of $62,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 6.30% above the North Carolina state average of $58,550.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary 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.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,239 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,495 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,089
2025 BLS Actual
$59,485
2026 Current Est.
$62,239
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,089 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,069 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,226 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,118 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,806 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,485 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,239 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,121 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,089 (2019) to $59,485 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,121 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,032 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $49,159 – $55,557 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,557 – $62,239 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,239 – $73,612 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,612 – $91,057 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Cary
Employment statistics indicate that there are currently 44 athletic trainers working in Cary, which contributes to the area's local job market strength. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, living expenses in Cary are slightly below the national average, meaning that purchasing power is relatively favorable for professionals in this field. Employers paying the highest among athletic trainers include collegiate athletics programs and industrial settings, such as Toyota and Boeing, which tend to offer more lucrative salaries compared to high school positions. The wage spread in Cary can be attributed to the differences between contract types, with year-round positions generally earning more than school-year contracts. Maximizing earnings can be achieved by pursuing additional certifications, seeking positions in higher-paying sectors, and gaining experience in specialized athletic training roles.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Cary, NC in 2026?
Is Cary, NC a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Cary?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Cary?
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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 $59,485 for athletic trainersin the Cary 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 Cary 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