Athletic Trainer Salary in Greenville, NC: $57,204 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Greenville, NC earns a median $57,204/year (≈ $27.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $61,115 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Greenville, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,204. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $65,415, highlighting a pay gap that often exists due to the regional focus on industrial roles compared to traditional sports settings. Salaries in Greenville can vary significantly, ranging from $45,347 at the 10th percentile to $83,287 at the 90th percentile, which reflects the diverse employment opportunities available in high schools, colleges, and industrial health. This data is derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data with adjustments for local cost of living, which serves as a crucial factor for job seekers when evaluating potential earnings in this vibrant NC city.
About the Greenville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,347 | $21.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,962 | $24.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,204 | $27.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,781 | $33.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,287 | $40.04 |
Median Salary Position
12.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,940 (2026 est.). At $57,204, the local median is 12.55% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greenville Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Greenville median: $57,204/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,551 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -12.55% less |
Athletic Trainers in Greenville, NC earn a median of $57,204 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.55% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.30% below the North Carolina state average of $58,551.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville 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.
Greenville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,204 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,115 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,360
2025 BLS Actual
$54,673
2026 Current Est.
$57,204
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,602 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,082 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,659 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,364 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,673 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,204 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,853 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,360 (2019) to $54,673 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,853 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,493 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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) | $45,347 – $50,962 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,962 – $57,204 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,204 – $69,781 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,781 – $83,287 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Greenville
Currently, there are 22 athletic trainers employed in Greenville, indicating a modest but stable local job market. The cost-of-living index in the area sits at 93.6, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average and potentially enhancing purchasing power for trainers. Among employers, industrial settings—such as those within Toyota, Boeing, and FedEx—tend to offer higher pay compared to roles in high school athletic training or college programs. The disparity in pay is influenced by several factors, including the scope of employment, whether contracted for the school year or year-round, and the level of experience in subsidiary roles. To maximize financial outcomes, aspiring athletic trainers in Greenville might consider gaining additional certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT, which could warrant higher salaries and stronger negotiation positions in contracts.
More salary data for Greenville, 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 $54,673 for athletic trainersin the Greenville 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 Greenville 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