Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Brentwood, TN: $48,095 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Brentwood, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $48,095 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brentwood's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,391 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($57,925) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field in Brentwood, TN, the entry-level athletic trainer salary is projected to start around $48,095 in 2026. This amount is below the city's median annual salary of $57,925, highlighting a potential gap that many early-career professionals will need to navigate. Within the first few years, however, there is a clear growth trajectory for salaries; after gaining experience, athletic trainers can expect to reach the 25th percentile at $51,667 and move toward the median as they advance in their careers. Given the competitive landscape, Brentwood presents a reasonable market for new graduates, especially as the demand for athletic trainers continues to grow, with an annual growth rate of 4.63%.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brentwood
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
Entry-level athletic trainers in Brentwood, TN typically start between $48,095 and $51,667 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $32,552 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $57,925 — 11.45% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in Tennessee of $50,000 represents just 103.96% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($48,095/year) in Brentwood. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAATE-accredited Master of Science in Athletic Training programs. Tuition varies between public in-state and private institutions; the BOC certification exam is required after graduation for practice.
AT, ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Brentwood
- 1Research the Brentwood market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $48,095 to $51,667, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the athletic training field — employers in TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brentwood, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Brentwood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brentwood's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Athletic Trainer Compensation Range
The athletic trainer wage spread in Brentwood is $32,552 ( 67.68%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $48,095, experienced hygienists can earn up to $80,647.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,862
2025 BLS Actual
$45,967
2026 Current Est.
$48,095
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,862 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,465 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,262 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,848 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,197 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,404 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,095 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,322 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Brentwood, TN grew 53.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,862 in 2019 to $45,967 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $50,322. New graduates entering the Brentwood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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.
Starting Your athletic training Career in Brentwood
Employers in Brentwood looking to hire new graduates typically include high schools that may outsource their athletic training services to local hospitals' sports medicine programs. While collegiate positions often require graduate assistant roles or internships prior to hiring, industrial settings are actively recruiting through specialized staffing firms. To boost their starting salaries, emerging athletic trainers should focus on attaining relevant credentials, such as a Master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program and passing the BOC exam for the ATC credential. Additionally, pursuing state licensure, CPR certification, and optional specialty certifications can further enhance earning potential. In the initial years, when comparing school-based work to industrial roles, athletic trainers may find that the latter offers 30-50% more in compensation, making it an attractive alternative for those open to non-traditional settings. As they build experience in their first three years, new grads can expect stable salary growth, positioning them effectively within the evolving field of athletic training.
More salary data for Brentwood, 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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new athletic training graduates. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Brentwood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brentwood 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