Athletic Trainer Salary in Leland, NC: $54,390 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Leland, NC earns a median $54,390/year (≈ $26.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Leland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $58,109 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainer salary in Leland, NC comes in at a median annual value of $54,390 for 2026, which reflects a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $65,415. The compensation spectrum for athletic trainers in this area ranges from $45,993 at the 10th percentile to $72,712 at the 90th percentile. These figures represent projections based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, including a cost of living index of 93.6. Within Leland, this pay structure illustrates the trade-off between school-year employment contracts common in educational settings and the potentially higher, year-round salaries offered in industrial or occupational health environments.
About the Leland Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,993 | $22.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,069 | $24.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,390 | $26.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,412 | $30.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,712 | $34.96 |
Median Salary Position
16.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leland
In Leland, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,719 (2026 est.). At $54,390, the local median is 16.85% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leland Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Leland median: $54,390/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,547 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -16.85% less |
Athletic Trainers in Leland, NC earn a median of $54,390 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.85% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.10% below the North Carolina state average of $58,547.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leland 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.
Leland, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $54,390 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,109 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,276
2025 BLS Actual
$51,983
2026 Current Est.
$54,390
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Leland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,276 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,457 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,259 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,766 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,167 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,936 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,983 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,390 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,908 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leland metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $40,276 (2019) to $51,983 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,908 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,632 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leland 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) | $45,993 – $50,069 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,069 – $54,390 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,390 – $64,412 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,412 – $72,712 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Leland
In Leland, just six athletic trainers are currently employed, indicating a niche market somewhat insulated from more competitive urban areas. With a cost of living significantly below the national average, trainers must consider their take-home purchasing power carefully. Among local employers, secondary schools typically offer lower pay scales compared to colleges or outpatient clinics that might provide additional stipends for evening or weekend events. Factors like setting and certification status play major roles in differentiating pay rates, with industrial health roles often rewarding trainers with higher compensation than those working in educational contexts. For those looking to optimize their earnings in Leland, obtaining advanced certifications and seeking opportunities in higher-paying industries, such as sports medicine or occupational health, can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Leland, 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 $51,983 for athletic trainersin the Leland 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 Leland 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