Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $28.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Wilmington, NC runs $28.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,572 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,139 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Wilmington, North Carolina, earn a median hourly pay of $28.16, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.45. For part-time athletic trainers who may work about three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a manageable income that can offer flexibility but might not provide financial stability without supplemental opportunities. Per-diem athletic trainers, who often cover events in settings such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, or professional team environments, have an hourly range from $25.41 for entry-level positions to $37.99 for the most experienced trainers. Such hourly data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, highlighting opportunities in a city that is gradually seeing a growth rate of 4.63% in this field.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.41 | $203.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.25 | $217.97 |
| Median (P50) | $28.16 | $225.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.53 | $268.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.99 | $303.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $28.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.16/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $58,564 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,787. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,126.24 | $4,880 | $58,564 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $675.74 | $2,928 | $35,139 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $450.49 | $1,952 | $23,426 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Wilmington) | $28.16 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $58,572 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.46% lower than the national median of $65,415.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.16/hr = $35,139/year (purchasing power: $36,443).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,564/year (purchasing power: $60,738).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Wilmington grew 37.5% from $19.57/hr (2019) to $26.91/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.46/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
While full-time athletic trainers can expect a predictable salary, part-time workers typically earn a lower annual amount, totaling around $28,000 based on a 24-hour workweek. Those opting for per diem roles might enjoy lucrative opportunities; for instance, coverage for games can yield between $200 and $500 per event, while industrial settings may offer rates of $50 to $80 per hour. In Wilmington, employers range from secondary schools and local universities to large manufacturers like Boeing and FedEx, each affecting the pay scale differently. Athletic trainers often face a benefits trade-off, where lower hourly rates in traditional roles come with health insurance, contrasting with higher hourly rates in industrial jobs that provide no such perks. For those negotiating hourly pay, understanding the distinct compensation structures across various employment settings can provide advantageous leverage.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Wilmington?
Are athletic trainers in Wilmington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Wilmington?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in Wilmington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Wilmington. 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, 6-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