Athletic Trainer Salary in Gainesville, GA: $62,516 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Gainesville, GA earns a median $62,516/year (≈ $30.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Gainesville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $64,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gainesville, GA, the financial outlook for athletic trainers is compelling, with a projected median salary of $62,516 for 2026 as derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data. The salary range for this occupation extends from $62,516 at the 10th percentile to $84,238 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy demand for skilled professionals in this field. For many athletic trainers, the decision between school-year contracts and year-round positions becomes a crucial consideration, as those in traditional school settings often earn less compared to their industrial counterparts, where roles can offer more stability and compensation. As Gainesville's job market evolves, there are opportunities available that cater to both educational institutions and industrial health, reinforcing the importance of context when evaluating potential earnings in this specific locale.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,516 | $30.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,516 | $30.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,516 | $30.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,522 | $36.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,238 | $40.50 |
Median Salary Position
4.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gainesville
In Gainesville, GA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,722 (2026 est.). At $62,516, the local median is 4.43% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gainesville: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Gainesville Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Gainesville median: $62,516/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gainesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $62,392 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.43% less |
Athletic Trainers in Gainesville, GA earn a median of $62,516 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.43% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.20% above the Georgia state average of $62,392.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gainesville has a cost of living 3.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gainesville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 96.766 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,516 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,605 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,294
2025 BLS Actual
$59,750
2026 Current Est.
$62,516
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,294 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,651 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,275 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,455 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,363 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,929 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,516 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,411 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gainesville metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $46,294 (2019) to $59,750 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,411 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,117 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gainesville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $62,516 – $62,516 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,516 – $62,516 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,516 – $75,522 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,522 – $84,238 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Gainesville
The local demand for athletic trainers continues to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.63% over the next five years. Despite a lower cost-of-living index at 96.766, which positions Gainesville as a more affordable location compared to national averages, the real purchasing power can still be influenced by salary differences across employer types. Secondary schools and colleges generally offer limited salaries compared to opportunities in professional sports or industrial environments, where companies like Toyota or FedEx may provide higher wages and comprehensive benefits. Factors driving the salary spread include the nature of the employer, specific work roles, and additional certifications, such as CSCS or OCS-AT, that may enhance earning potential. For those looking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Gainesville, pursuing extra qualifications or considering industrial settings can be effective strategies to elevate their salary beyond typical educational roles.
More salary data for Gainesville, GA:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,750 for athletic trainersin the Gainesville metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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