Athletic Trainer Salary in Lexington, SC: $57,488 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Lexington, SC earns a median $57,488/year (≈ $27.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $62,828 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Lexington, South Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $57,488 in 2026, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $65,415. This compensation, while competitive locally, reveals the financial realities many professionals face in this region. The salary range for athletic trainers spans from $45,130 at the 10th percentile to $75,253 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variation in earnings based on experience, certification, and employment settings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, underscoring the distinct economic factors at play in Lexington's job market for this occupation.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,570 | $24.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,488 | $27.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,872 | $31.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,253 | $36.18 |
Median Salary Position
12.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, SC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,123 (2026 est.). At $57,488, the local median is 12.12% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Lexington median: $57,488/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,834 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -12.12% less |
Athletic Trainers in Lexington, SC earn a median of $57,488 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.12% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $60,834.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,488 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,828 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,570
2025 BLS Actual
$54,944
2026 Current Est.
$57,488
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,818 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,553 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,316 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,942 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,944 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,488 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,150 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,570 (2019) to $54,944 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,150 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,580 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $45,130 – $50,570 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,570 – $57,488 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,488 – $65,872 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,872 – $75,253 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Lexington
In terms of job market dynamics, only five athletic trainers are currently employed in Lexington, which reflects limited opportunities but could also indicate lower competition for available positions. The area's cost of living index stands at 91.5, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further compared to national averages, allowing these professionals to manage their finances effectively. Schools and colleges generally offer lower salaries than industrial or occupational health settings, where companies like Toyota and Boeing tend to provide higher compensation packages. Factors contributing to salary variations include the type of contract—school-year vs. year-round—as well as roles such as head athletic trainer versus assistant trainer. To maximize compensation in Lexington, prospective trainers should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles in industrial settings, and making connections with local athletic programs to enhance their marketability and earning potential.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Lexington, SC in 2026?
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Can athletic trainers make $100K in Lexington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Lexington?
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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 $54,944 for athletic trainersin the Lexington 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 Lexington 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