Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $29.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Knoxville, TN runs $29.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,328 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,398 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Knoxville, TN, can expect a median hourly pay of $29.97, which falls slightly below the national median of $31.45. This hourly wage reflects the diverse range of settings where athletic trainers operate, including high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional team training rooms, among others. For individuals working part-time, such as those clocking in three days a week, this pay translates to a significant monthly income. Depending on the specific circumstances, entry-level trainers can earn around $23.42 an hour, while experienced professionals might reach up to $38.88 per hour, highlighting the potential for both growth and opportunities in various athletic training environments. This data comes from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicating a promising outlook for those entering the field.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.42 | $187.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.43 | $203.40 |
| Median (P50) | $29.97 | $239.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.09 | $256.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.88 | $311.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $29.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.97/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $62,329 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,959. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,198.64 | $5,194 | $62,329 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $719.18 | $3,116 | $37,398 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $479.46 | $2,078 | $24,932 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Knoxville) | $29.97 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN earn a median of $62,328 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.72% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.80% above the Tennessee state average of $60,046.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.97/hr = $37,398/year (purchasing power: $40,400).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,329/year (purchasing power: $67,333).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Knoxville grew 42.5% from $20.10/hr (2019) to $28.64/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.35/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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
For athletic trainers in Knoxville, the earning potential varies significantly based on the work structure and employer type. A part-time athletic trainer working 24 hours a week could take home around $37,478 annually, while full-time trainers make approximately $62,328 a year. Per diem athletic trainers in Knoxville might find their roles more lucrative, often being paid between $200 and $500 per event for game coverage. In industrial and occupational settings, hourly rates can climb to between $50 and $80, especially with larger employers like Toyota or Boeing. However, these higher hourly rates may come without benefits, differentiating them from roles in educational institutions that offer more comprehensive compensation packages. Additionally, navigating negotiations about pay in Knoxville can be crucial; trainers should be prepared to weigh the benefits of stable employment against the flexibility and possibly higher earnings offered by per diem or agency positions.
More salary data for Knoxville, 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
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 Knoxville. 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