Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $30.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY runs $30.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,977 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Louisville/Jefferson County's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,789 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $30.28, which is slightly below the national median hourly pay of $31.45. This rate offers competitive compensation for those working in various settings, such as high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and outpatient clinics. For part-time and per-diem athletic trainers, shifts typically revolve around three days per week, allowing for flexibility while still securing a respectable wage. The hourly earnings range from $23.00 at entry-level positions to $36.90 for experienced trainers in high-demand roles. All figures are based on the 2026 estimates developed from 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlighting the financial landscape for athletic trainer hourly pay in Louisville/Jefferson County.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.00 | $183.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.40 | $203.23 |
| Median (P50) | $30.28 | $242.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.51 | $284.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.90 | $295.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville/Jefferson County
Based on $30.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.28/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY can expect to earn approximately $62,982 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,336. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville/Jefferson County.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville/Jefferson County
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,211.20 | $5,249 | $62,982 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $726.72 | $3,149 | $37,789 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $484.48 | $2,099 | $25,193 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Louisville/Jefferson County) | $30.28 |
| 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $62,977 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.73% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.80% above the Kentucky state average of $58,420.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.28/hr = $37,789/year (purchasing power: $40,601).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,982/year (purchasing power: $67,669).
CoL index: 93.074 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 36.1% from $21.27/hr (2019) to $28.94/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.68/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 Louisville/Jefferson County 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 Louisville/Jefferson County
With respect to the earning potential in this profession, part-time trainers working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $37,151 annually based on the prevailing hourly wage. For those opting for per-diem roles, coverage for events can yield pay ranging from $200 to $500 per event, translating into a lucrative income depending on the number of events covered. In the competitive environment of Louisville/Jefferson County, hourly rates can vary significantly based on the employer type; secondary schools generally offer lower rates while hospitals and industrial settings, such as those with employers like Toyota and FedEx, may provide higher compensation reflective of their need for specialized services. Athletic trainers sometimes face the decision to trade off higher hourly rates for lower benefits or accept lower pay in exchange for comprehensive health insurance packages. When negotiating, it’s beneficial for trainers to assess the full compensation package, including any potential healthcare benefits, and align their skills, particularly in sports or occupational health, to secure the best possible hourly rate in KY.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Louisville/Jefferson County in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Are athletic trainers in Louisville/Jefferson County paid hourly or salary?
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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 Louisville/Jefferson County. 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