Athletic Trainer Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $58,471 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $58,471/year (≈ $28.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $62,469 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, athletic trainers can expect a median annual salary of $58,471, which reflects a significant regional disparity when compared to the national average of $65,415. The local salary range extends from $43,717 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $85,552 at the upper end (P90), illustrating the variance based on factors like specific workplace settings and experience. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the local cost of living in Chapel Hill. This area has its unique labor landscape, with athletic trainers often finding themselves in a competitive situation between industrial roles, which tend to pay more, versus traditional sports environments, such as educational institutions.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,717 | $21.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,115 | $24.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,471 | $28.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,351 | $33.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,552 | $41.13 |
Median Salary Position
10.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,835 (2026 est.). At $58,471, the local median is 10.62% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $58,471/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,589 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -10.62% less |
Athletic Trainers in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $58,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.62% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $58,589.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill 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.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $58,471 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,469 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,298
2025 BLS Actual
$55,884
2026 Current Est.
$58,471
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,298 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,568 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,281 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,125 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,781 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,457 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,884 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,471 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,179 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $43,298 (2019) to $55,884 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,179 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,881 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $43,717 – $50,115 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,115 – $58,471 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,471 – $69,351 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,351 – $85,552 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Chapel Hill
In analyzing the local job market, there are currently nine athletic trainers employed in Chapel Hill, where the cost of living index stands at 93.6, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost regions. While hospitals and outpatient clinics generally drive salaries up due to higher budgets, athletic trainers working in collegiate settings, particularly within NCAA programs, can also see robust compensation packages. The difference in pay can often be attributed to job responsibilities; head athletic trainers earn significantly more than assistants, and additional certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT can enhance pay prospects. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in Chapel Hill, pursuing opportunities in industrial health or seeking contracts beyond the academic year can be advantageous strategies, reflecting the diverse environments in which athletic trainers operate.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, 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 $55,884 for athletic trainersin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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