Athletic Trainer Salary in South Carolina: $59,795 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $59,795/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,350 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($64,027), Charleston ($62,690), Florence ($60,550).
In South Carolina, the average median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is projected to be $59,795, which is approximately 8.6% below the national median of $65,415. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with North Charleston offering the highest average at $66,991, compared to Greenville, where the average is $53,612. This discrepancy can be attributed to several factors, including local cost of living, demand for services, and the presence of healthcare facilities and sports programs in urban areas versus smaller cities. In South Carolina, athletic trainers must adhere to specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that govern their role in healthcare settings. The demand for athletic trainers is expected to grow, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 4.63%, as awareness of sports health and injury prevention increases. The total number of employed athletic trainers in the state stands at 592, reflecting a steadily growing job market. Key cities contributing to this growth include Charleston at $65,593, Florence at $63,353, Mount Pleasant at $61,756, and Columbia at $60,863. Aspiring athletic trainers should consider these salary trends and regional differences when planning their careers in South Carolina.
South Carolina Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $35,386 (lowest entry-level) to $119,341 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina athletic trainers earn 8.59% less than the national median ($-5,620/year difference).
South Carolina Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in South Carolina range from $46,174 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,635 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,795. The South Carolina median is $5,620 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $28.75/hr. Approximately 592 athletic trainers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,197
2025 BLS Actual
$57,149
2026 Current Est.
$59,795
2019–2027 Growth
+41.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,197 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,525 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,994 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,598 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,044 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,149 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,795 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,563 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.3% from $44,197 (2019) to $57,149 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,563 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,366 (41.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Greenville | $53,612 |
| Anderson | $54,850 |
| Greer | $54,906 |
| Conway | $56,023 |
| Clemson | $56,047 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | $66,991 | 91.5 | $73,214 |
| Florence | $63,353 | 86.774 | $73,009 |
| Mount Pleasant | $61,756 | 91.5 | $67,493 |
| Rock Hill | $60,618 | 91.5 | $66,249 |
| Hilton Head Island | $60,456 | 91.5 | $66,072 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,174 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,795 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,635 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $66,991 |
| 2 | Charleston | $65,593 |
| 3 | Florence | $63,353 |
| 4 | Mount Pleasant | $61,756 |
| 5 | Columbia | $60,863 |
| 6 | Rock Hill | $60,618 |
| 7 | Hilton Head Island | $60,456 |
| 8 | Aiken | $60,353 |
| 9 | Hanahan | $60,268 |
| 10 | Mauldin | $59,913 |
| 11 | Summerville | $59,592 |
| 12 | Spartanburg | $59,068 |
| 13 | Simpsonville | $58,610 |
| 14 | Fort Mill | $58,582 |
| 15 | Goose Creek | $58,444 |
| 16 | Sumter | $57,963 |
| 17 | Bluffton | $57,916 |
| 18 | Lexington | $57,488 |
| 19 | Myrtle Beach | $57,076 |
| 20 | Easley | $56,464 |
| 21 | Tega Cay | $56,152 |
| 22 | Clemson | $56,047 |
| 23 | Conway | $56,023 |
| 24 | Greer | $54,906 |
| 25 | Anderson | $54,850 |
| 26 | Greenville | $53,612 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in South Carolina?
How many athletic trainers are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 athletic trainer compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more athletic trainerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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