Athletic Trainer Salary in Sanford, NC: $57,748 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Sanford, NC earns a median $57,748/year (≈ $27.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Sanford's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $61,697 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sanford, North Carolina, the compensation for athletic trainers is projected to reach a median annual salary of $57,748 in 2026. This figure highlights a notable contrast to the national median of $65,415, representing a pay gap attributed to the predominance of primary employment settings like secondary schools rather than higher-paying industrial or professional sports roles. Salaries for athletic trainers in the area range from $45,037 at the low end (P10) to $79,306 at the high end (P90), reflecting the varying demands of different work environments. Such estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price variations, pointing to inherent differences in compensation driven by the specific sector of employment.
About the Sanford Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,037 | $21.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,823 | $24.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,748 | $27.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,010 | $32.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,306 | $38.13 |
Median Salary Position
11.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sanford
In Sanford, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,269 (2026 est.). At $57,748, the local median is 11.72% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sanford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sanford Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Sanford median: $57,748/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sanford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,568 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -11.72% less |
Athletic Trainers in Sanford, NC earn a median of $57,748 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.72% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $58,568.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sanford 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.
Sanford, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,748 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,697 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,763
2025 BLS Actual
$55,193
2026 Current Est.
$57,748
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Sanford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,763 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,017 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,745 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,141 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,834 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,193 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,748 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,422 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sanford metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,763 (2019) to $55,193 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,422 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,659 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sanford 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) | $45,037 – $50,823 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,823 – $57,748 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,748 – $68,010 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,010 – $79,306 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Sanford
With only five athletic trainers currently employed in Sanford, the local job market presents both challenges and opportunities. The cost of living index stands at a favorable 93.6, suggesting that take-home pay might stretch further compared to national averages. Among local employers, collegiate and high school settings typically offer lower remuneration, while opportunities in industrial health contexts—such as at Toyota or FedEx—can provide substantially higher salaries, potentially 30-50% more. Factors influencing pay disparities include whether the position is full-time or part-time, the type of employer, and additional duties tied to events outside regular hours. To maximize earning potential in Sanford, athletic trainers should consider pursuing further certifications and seeking roles in settings that prioritize year-round contracts, while also being open to specialist opportunities in industrial or occupational health where demand is growing.
More salary data for Sanford, 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 $55,193 for athletic trainersin the Sanford 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 Sanford 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