Athletic Trainer Salary in Kingsport, TN: $59,695 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Kingsport, TN earns a median $59,695/year (≈ $28.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $65,027 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kingsport, TN, the projected median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $59,695, which reflects a competitive position compared to the national median of $65,415. The local salary range, from $47,199 at the 10th percentile to $86,683 at the 90th percentile, illustrates the disparity often seen based on employment settings. Athletic trainers in industrial settings tend to secure higher compensation than those in traditional sports environments, highlighting a crucial factor in the local job market. These salary figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, adjusted for regional price disparities to reflect the economic realities in Kingsport.
About the Kingsport Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,199 | $22.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,134 | $25.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,695 | $28.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,819 | $35.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,683 | $41.67 |
Median Salary Position
8.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,484 (2026 est.). At $59,695, the local median is 8.74% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingsport Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $59,695/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $60,055 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -8.74% less |
Athletic Trainers in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $59,695 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.74% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.60% below the Tennessee state average of $60,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $59,695 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,027 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,204
2025 BLS Actual
$57,053
2026 Current Est.
$59,695
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,204 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,186 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,132 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,864 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,053 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,695 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,458 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $44,204 (2019) to $57,053 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,458 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,254 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $47,199 – $53,134 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,134 – $59,695 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,695 – $72,819 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,819 – $86,683 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Kingsport
With only eight athletic trainers currently employed in Kingsport, the job market remains relatively small, yet this limited size can also mean opportunities for those willing to adapt to various settings. The cost of living index sits at 91.8, which is below the national average, impacting the purchasing power of athletic trainers. While traditional roles, such as those in high schools and colleges, offer stable salaries, higher-paying positions often exist within industrial or occupational health sectors, where employers like Toyota and FedEx are prominent. The variation in pay is influenced by factors such as employment setting, role seniority, and additional certification requirements like the CSCS or OCS-AT. To maximize earnings, aspiring athletic trainers should consider diversifying their skills and seeking opportunities in these more lucrative environments within Kingsport, TN.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
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 $57,053 for athletic trainersin the Kingsport 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 Kingsport 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