Athletic Trainer Salary in Carrboro, NC: $55,205 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Carrboro, NC earns a median $55,205/year (≈ $26.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Carrboro's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $58,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carrboro, North Carolina, the financial landscape for athletic trainers is evolving significantly, reflecting the education transition that occurred in 2022, where a master's degree became the new standard for entry into the field. As of 2026, athletic trainers can expect a median annual salary of $55,205, which is notably lower than the national average of $65,415. The local salary range spans from $43,135 at the 10th percentile to $72,041 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market that can offer varying levels of compensation depending on experience and setting. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight Carrboro's position within a landscape that is slowly adapting to the more stringent educational requirements and the demand for qualified professionals in both sports and industrial settings.
About the Carrboro Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,135 | $20.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,830 | $24.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,205 | $26.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,117 | $30.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,041 | $34.63 |
Median Salary Position
15.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carrboro
In Carrboro, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,906 (2026 est.). At $55,205, the local median is 15.61% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carrboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carrboro Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Carrboro median: $55,205/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carrboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,542 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -15.61% less |
Athletic Trainers in Carrboro, NC earn a median of $55,205 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.61% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 5.70% below the North Carolina state average of $58,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carrboro has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carrboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $55,205 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,980 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,880
2025 BLS Actual
$52,762
2026 Current Est.
$55,205
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Carrboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,078 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,863 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,437 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,888 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,639 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,762 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,205 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,761 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carrboro metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $40,880 (2019) to $52,762 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,761 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,881 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carrboro 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) | $43,135 – $51,830 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,830 – $55,205 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,205 – $63,117 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,117 – $72,041 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Carrboro
Currently, there are just six athletic trainers employed in Carrboro, suggesting a tight-knit job market that could influence potential salary negotiations and opportunities for advancement. Given the cost-of-living index of 93.6, those in the profession may find their purchasing power slightly lessened compared to national averages, which could impact lifestyle choices. Among local employers, secondary school athletic training positions may offer lower salaries compared to roles within colleges and universities, as well as industrial settings like Toyota and FedEx, which often pay the highest due to the specialized nature of occupational health standards. The disparity in pay can also be attributed to factors such as the type of employment contracts, whether they span the school year or are year-round, and additional compensation for evening or weekend events. For aspiring professionals in Carrboro, focusing on certifications such as the CSCS and seeking roles in higher-paying industrial environments may enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Carrboro, 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
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 $52,762 for athletic trainersin the Carrboro 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
Salary data for Carrboro is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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