Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Lexington, KY: $31.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Lexington, KY runs $31.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,567 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,743 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Lexington, KY, earn a median hourly rate of $31.04, which falls slightly below the national average of $31.45 per hour. This wage reflects a healthy earning potential for trainers working in various environments, such as high schools, colleges, and professional sports teams, as well as clinics and industrial settings. The hourly pay range in Lexington varies significantly, starting at around $24.23 for entry-level positions, up to $38.07 for those at the top end of their careers. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, illustrates that this profession can be quite lucrative, especially for part-time athletic trainers or those working per diem in environments like outpatient clinics or event coverage.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.23 | $193.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.80 | $206.41 |
| Median (P50) | $31.04 | $248.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.91 | $255.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.07 | $304.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $31.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.04/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, KY can expect to earn approximately $64,571 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,252. With a cost-of-living index of 92.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,241.75 | $5,381 | $64,571 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $745.05 | $3,229 | $38,743 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.70 | $2,152 | $25,828 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Lexington) | $31.04 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Athletic Trainers in Lexington, KY earn a median of $64,567 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.30% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 10.50% above the Kentucky state average of $58,432.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.04/hr = $38,743/year (purchasing power: $41,708).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,571/year (purchasing power: $69,514).
CoL index: 92.889 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Lexington grew 30.7% from $22.70/hr (2019) to $29.67/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.48/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem athletic trainers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Athletic Trainer in Lexington
Part-time athletic trainers working three days a week can expect an annual income of approximately $48,000 based on a 24-hour workweek, which is considerably less than what full-time trainers make. Per diem athletic trainer pay in Lexington varies widely, with event coverage typically ranging from $200 to $500 per event, while industrial athletic trainers can earn between $50 and $80 per hour at locations like Toyota or FedEx. Likewise, collegiate and professional sports event coverage can yield stipends from $200 to $1,000, depending on the game's prominence. Often, trainers who accept lower hourly rates in educational settings do so for associated benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating hourly pay can be strategic; understanding market rates and the specific demands of different work environments—industry versus traditional sports—can bolster a trainer’s position when discussing compensation. With the shift to a master's degree requirement in 2022, trainers are increasingly emphasizing their advanced skills to negotiate better pay and benefits.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Lexington in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for athletic trainers in Lexington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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