Athletic Trainer Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $62,977 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earns a median $62,977/year (≈ $30.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Louisville/Jefferson County's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $67,663 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, can expect a median annual salary of $62,977 in 2026, which reflects a slight decline compared to the national median of $65,415. The salary range for these professionals spans from $47,837 at the lowest end (P10) to $76,757 at the highest (P90), based on official BLS OEWS surveys. This variance illustrates a significant pay gap influenced by the predominance of industrial and occupational settings, which tend to compensate trainers at a higher rate than traditional sports environments, such as schools and recreational leagues. The job market for athletic trainers here is vibrant, but prospective candidates should consider trends in higher pay opportunities linked to specific industries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,837 | $23.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,838 | $25.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,977 | $30.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,869 | $35.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,757 | $36.90 |
Median Salary Position
3.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville/Jefferson County
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,920 (2026 est.). At $62,977, the local median is 3.73% below the national median of $65,415.
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How Louisville/Jefferson County Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Louisville/Jefferson County median: $62,977/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville/Jefferson County Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $58,420 | +7.80% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -3.73% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville/Jefferson County has a cost of living 6.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has a cost-of-living index of 93.074 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,977 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,663 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,240
2025 BLS Actual
$60,190
2026 Current Est.
$62,977
2019–2027 Growth
+48.9%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,977 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,893 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville/Jefferson County metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 36.1% from $44,240 (2019) to $60,190 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,893 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,653 (48.94%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,837 – $52,838 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,838 – $62,977 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,977 – $73,869 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,869 – $76,757 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Louisville/Jefferson County
With around 240 athletic trainers employed locally, Louisville/Jefferson County's job market remains robust despite the cost of living index at 93.074, which is below the national average. This economic factor means that salaries stretch further in terms of purchasing power, making the area more appealing. Among local employers, industrial health sectors, including companies such as Toyota and Boeing, often provide the highest salaries, particularly for those with specialized certifications like the CSCS. The disparity in pay is driven by multiple factors: professional sports roles typically offer the highest wages, while school positions commonly feature lower pay and seasonal contracts. To maximize earning potential in this market, athletic trainers should seek out year-round positions, pursue additional certifications, and consider the type of employer when evaluating job offers. Understanding these dynamics can significantly influence how much athletic trainers make in Louisville/Jefferson County.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
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 $60,190 for athletic trainersin the Louisville/Jefferson County 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, 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