Athletic Trainer Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Athletic Trainers in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$56,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $62,520
State Rank
#47 of 50
990 employed here

How much does an Athletic Trainer make in North Carolina?

Athletic Trainers in North Carolina take home a median of $56,540 annually — roughly $27.18 an hour — which runs 10% below the national median of $62,520.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $46,740 while the top 10% make $77,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,000 and $63,260 a year.

Athletic Trainer salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,740$22.47
25th percentile (early career)$51,000$24.52
50th percentile (median)$56,540$27.18
75th percentile (experienced)$63,260$30.41
90th percentile (top earners)$77,000$37.02

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 47th out of 50 states and territories for Athletic Trainer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$78,490
2Hawaii$76,320
3New Jersey$76,210
4District of Columbia$74,450
5New Mexico$72,440

Working as an Athletic Trainer in North Carolina

Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Athletic Trainers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($56,540) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Athletic Trainer make in North Carolina?
The median Athletic Trainer salary in North Carolina is $56,540 per year, or about $27.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,740 at the entry level to $77,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Athletic Trainers about 10% less than the national median of $62,520. North Carolina ranks 47th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Athletic Trainers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $56,540 a year. About 990 Athletic Trainers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Athletic Trainer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.