Athletic Trainer Salary in Greenville, SC: $53,612 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Greenville, SC earns a median $53,612/year (≈ $25.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $57,487 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.9% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, athletic trainers in Greenville, South Carolina, earn a median annual salary of $53,612, a figure that reflects a new landscape following the 2022 transition to a master's degree requirement for entry-level positions. The projected salary range is quite broad, spanning from $45,368 at the lower end (P10) to $73,513 at the upper end (P90). This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, illustrates both the earning potential and variability within the profession. Compared to the national median of $65,415, the athletic trainer salary in Greenville indicates a pay gap of 18.04%, suggesting that local opportunities might be more limited than elsewhere in the country. The evolving educational demands make it important for prospective athletic trainers in Greenville SC to be aware of these external economic forces.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,368 | $21.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,876 | $24.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,612 | $25.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,980 | $31.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,513 | $35.34 |
Median Salary Position
18.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, SC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,145 (2026 est.). At $53,612, the local median is 18.04% 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: $53,612/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,854 | -11.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -18.04% less |
Athletic Trainers in Greenville, SC earn a median of $53,612 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.04% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 11.90% below the South Carolina state average of $60,854.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville has a cost of living 6.74% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greenville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $53,612 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,487 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.23% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,030
2025 BLS Actual
$51,240
2026 Current Est.
$53,612
2019–2027 Growth
+24.6%
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 | $45,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,612 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,095 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 13.8% from $45,030 (2019) to $51,240 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,095 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,065 (24.57%) 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) | $45,368 – $51,876 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,876 – $53,612 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,612 – $65,980 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,980 – $73,513 |
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
With 130 athletic trainers currently employed in the area, the job market in Greenville appears stable but competitive. The cost-of-living index for the region is 93.26, which is below the national average, potentially allowing individuals to stretch their salaries further than in high-cost areas. Among local employers, those in professional sports or NCAA institutions tend to offer the highest salaries, followed closely by positions within industrial or occupational health settings, such as Toyota and Boeing. The disparity in athletic trainer pay in Greenville SC can be attributed to various factors: professionals in head athletic training roles may see significantly higher compensation compared to assistants, and positions offering stipends for evening or weekend events often provide better financial incentives. For those aiming to maximize earnings, pursuing additional certifications such as the CSCS or OCS-AT, and considering diverse employment settings from high schools to pro teams can enhance take-home pay in this specific market.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
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 $51,240 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
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