Athletic Trainer Salary in Tennessee: $61,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $61,691/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,202 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($61,830), Franklin ($61,086), Murfreesboro ($60,734).
In 2026, athletic trainers in Tennessee will earn an average median salary of $61,691, which is about 5.7% lower than the national median of $65,415. The salary disparity across the state is notable; Nashville offers the highest compensation at $64,693, while Tullahoma presents the lowest at $55,483, creating a gap of $9,210. Factors influencing these variations include the size of the local economy, demand for sports and health services, and availability of athletic programs. Tennessee has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that athletic trainers must navigate. The demand for athletic trainers is supported by the growing emphasis on injury prevention and rehabilitation in sports, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 4.63%. In terms of employment, there are currently 738 athletic trainers across 30 metro areas within the state. The top cities for athletic trainer salaries in 2026 are Nashville ($64,693), Franklin ($63,914), Murfreesboro ($63,546), Knoxville ($62,328), and Smyrna ($60,698). The job market remains strong, driven by the increasing awareness of health and fitness, alongside a steady expansion of athletic programs in schools and colleges, pointing toward a positive outlook for the profession in Tennessee.
Tennessee Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $20,361 (lowest entry-level) to $91,456 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee athletic trainers earn 5.69% less than the national median ($-3,724/year difference).
Tennessee Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Tennessee range from $45,334 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,582 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,691. The Tennessee median is $3,724 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $29.66/hr. Approximately 738 athletic trainers are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,794
2025 BLS Actual
$58,961
2026 Current Est.
$61,691
2019–2027 Growth
+44.1%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,794 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,243 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,733 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,378 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,777 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,745 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,961 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,547 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 31.6% from $44,794 (2019) to $58,961 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,547 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,753 (44.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tullahoma | $55,483 |
| Sevierville | $56,694 |
| Maryville | $57,021 |
| Cookeville | $57,058 |
| La Vergne | $57,352 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | $63,914 | 91.8 | $69,623 |
| Murfreesboro | $63,546 | 91.8 | $69,222 |
| Knoxville | $62,328 | 92.569 | $67,331 |
| Nashville | $64,693 | 96.338 | $67,152 |
| Smyrna | $60,698 | 91.8 | $66,120 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,334 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,691 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,582 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $64,693 |
| 2 | Franklin | $63,914 |
| 3 | Murfreesboro | $63,546 |
| 4 | Knoxville | $62,328 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $60,698 |
| 6 | Memphis | $60,685 |
| 7 | Jackson | $60,584 |
| 8 | Johnson City | $60,485 |
| 9 | Bartlett | $60,393 |
| 10 | Collierville | $60,184 |
| 11 | Chattanooga | $60,005 |
| 12 | Spring Hill | $59,723 |
| 13 | Kingsport | $59,695 |
| 14 | Morristown | $59,462 |
| 15 | Clarksville | $59,387 |
| 16 | Lebanon | $58,922 |
| 17 | Oak Ridge | $58,917 |
| 18 | Cleveland | $58,651 |
| 19 | Columbia | $58,522 |
| 20 | Germantown | $58,446 |
| 21 | Hendersonville | $58,330 |
| 22 | Gallatin | $58,228 |
| 23 | Brentwood | $57,925 |
| 24 | Shelbyville | $57,474 |
| 25 | Mount Juliet | $57,473 |
| 26 | La Vergne | $57,352 |
| 27 | Cookeville | $57,058 |
| 28 | Maryville | $57,021 |
| 29 | Sevierville | $56,694 |
| 30 | Tullahoma | $55,483 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Tennessee?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee 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 Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 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