Athletic Trainer Salary in Raleigh, NC: $62,537 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Raleigh, NC earns a median $62,537/year (≈ $30.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $63,711 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, NC, the evolving landscape of athletic training compensation reflects the shift to a master's degree requirement established in 2022. This transition has raised the bar for entry-level positions and influenced overall salaries in the area. As of 2026, the median annual salary stands at $62,537, slightly below the projected national median of $65,415. Those in the profession can expect a salary range from $51,541 at the 10th percentile to $97,180 for the top earners. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate a growing recognition of the vital role that certified athletic trainers play within both academic and professional sports settings in Raleigh’s job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,541 | $24.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,759 | $25.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,537 | $30.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,949 | $37.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,180 | $46.72 |
Median Salary Position
4.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,639 (2026 est.). At $62,537, the local median is 4.4% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Raleigh Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $62,537/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,556 | +6.80% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.40% less |
Athletic Trainers in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $62,537 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.40% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 6.80% above the North Carolina state average of $58,556.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,537 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,711 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,310
2025 BLS Actual
$59,770
2026 Current Est.
$62,537
2019–2027 Growth
+35.4%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,537 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,433 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 23.7% from $48,310 (2019) to $59,770 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,433 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,123 (35.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $51,541 – $53,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,759 – $62,537 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,537 – $77,949 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,949 – $97,180 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Raleigh
With approximately 70 athletic trainers currently employed in the Raleigh area, the local job market exhibits a promising growth rate of 4.63% annually. Compounding the appeal of this profession is the cost of living index of 98.157, which is below the national average and enhances the purchasing power of salaries earned. In terms of compensation, athletic trainers in the region may find the most lucrative opportunities in professional sports teams, regional colleges, and occupational health settings. The variability in pay can be attributed to multiple factors, including the type of employer, contract length, and additional responsibilities such as event coverage. For athletic trainers aiming to maximize their pay in Raleigh, pursuing additional certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT and seeking roles in higher-paying sectors can provide significant financial advantages.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 $59,770 for athletic trainersin the Raleigh 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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