Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Asheville, NC: $26.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Asheville, NC runs $26.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,046 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Asheville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.5, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,023 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Asheville, North Carolina, the athletic trainer hourly pay stands at $26.46, which is considerably lower than the national hourly median of $31.45. This wage reflects the city's unique market for athletic trainers, who typically work in various settings including high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and outpatient clinics. For part-time workers, such as those covering three days a week, this pay structure means their annual income will be lower than that of full-time trainers, potentially making it less appealing for those seeking stable, long-term employment. While hourly rates range from $23.99 for entry-level positions to $32.01 for experienced professionals, this official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data indicates that the hourly compensation in Asheville does not compete favorably with many larger metropolitan areas in NC or nationwide.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.99 | $191.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.69 | $197.54 |
| Median (P50) | $26.46 | $211.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.15 | $241.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.01 | $256.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Asheville
Based on $26.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.46/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Asheville, NC can expect to earn approximately $55,039 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,753. With a cost-of-living index of 96.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Asheville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Asheville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,058.44 | $4,587 | $55,039 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $635.06 | $2,752 | $33,023 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $423.37 | $1,835 | $22,015 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Asheville) | $26.46 |
| 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 Asheville, NC earn a median of $55,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.85% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 6.00% below the North Carolina state average of $58,559.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.46/hr = $33,023/year (purchasing power: $34,219).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,039/year (purchasing power: $57,031).
CoL index: 96.506 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Asheville grew 16.5% from $21.71/hr (2019) to $25.29/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.69/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 Asheville 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 Asheville
The financial landscape for athletic trainers working part-time or on a per-diem basis can vary significantly. A typical part-time athletic trainer putting in 24 hours a week could expect to make around $33,000 annually when considering total hours worked. However, per diem athletic trainers, who provide coverage for events or specific needs, can earn much more on a per-event basis, with compensation ranging from $200 to $500 per event. In Asheville, a growing demand for athletic trainers in industrial environments often offers higher wages, sometimes reaching between $50 and $80 per hour. This leads to a common trade-off where some athletic trainers choose lower hourly rates in school roles to gain health benefits, while others prefer higher pay for less stability and no comprehensive benefits package. When negotiating hourly pay, understanding the unique offerings of Asheville's market can leverage potential earnings effectively, addressing both immediate financial needs and long-term career goals within the evolving landscape of athletic training.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
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
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 Asheville. 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