Athletic Trainer Salary in Gastonia, NC: $58,336 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Gastonia, NC earns a median $58,336/year (≈ $28.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $62,325 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Gastonia, NC are projected to earn a median annual salary of $58,336, reflecting a robust compensation landscape within a tight-knit community. Salaries in this profession range from $45,452 at the 10th percentile to $81,742 at the 90th percentile, based on local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels. This pay scale provides insight into the potential earnings for athletic trainers navigating either school-year contracts or year-round positions in industrial settings. Given that the average athletic trainer salary in Gastonia is notably lower—about 10.82%—than the national median of $65,415, several factors influence this dynamic, particularly the type of employment and the nature of work settings available in the area.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,452 | $21.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,421 | $24.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,336 | $28.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,381 | $33.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,742 | $39.30 |
Median Salary Position
10.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,290 (2026 est.). At $58,336, the local median is 10.82% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $58,336/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,571 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -10.82% less |
Athletic Trainers in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $58,336 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.82% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.40% below the North Carolina state average of $58,571.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $58,336 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,325 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,199
2025 BLS Actual
$55,755
2026 Current Est.
$58,336
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,199 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,465 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,181 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,014 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,662 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,972 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,755 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,336 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,037 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $43,199 (2019) to $55,755 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,037 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,838 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $45,452 – $51,421 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,421 – $58,336 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,336 – $69,381 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,381 – $81,742 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Gastonia
The local job market for athletic trainers in Gastonia is relatively small, with only 16 professionals currently employed in the field. This limited pool must contend with a cost-of-living index of 93.6, which highlights the affordability of life in Gastonia while also shaping take-home purchasing power. Among various employers, the highest compensation often comes from professional sports teams or industrial health settings, such as those found at major corporations like Toyota and FedEx. The disparity between salaries is influenced significantly by employment context; while professional roles can demand well above average pay, high school positions generally fall on the lower end of the spectrum. To maximize earnings, athletic trainers in Gastonia should consider pursuing additional certifications and seeking positions that allow for evening and weekend stipends, effectively broadening their earning potential outside traditional contracts.
More salary data for Gastonia, 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 $55,755 for athletic trainersin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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