Athletic Trainer Salary in Holly Springs, NC: $56,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Holly Springs, NC earns a median $56,517/year (≈ $27.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Holly Springs's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $60,381 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Holly Springs, NC are expected to earn a median annual salary of $56,517, reflecting the trade-off between school-year contracts and year-round industrial roles. The salary range for these professionals spans from $46,956 at the 10th percentile to $78,580 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data. While this compensation is significantly lower than the national median of $65,415, the local cost of living index sits at 93.6, suggesting that despite the lower salaries, the relative affordability of the region allows trainers to manage their finances effectively. Understanding this local context is essential for new entrants in the field, as they navigate their career options in Holly Springs, balancing aspirations against the actual compensation landscape.
About the Holly Springs Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,956 | $22.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,434 | $24.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,517 | $27.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,318 | $32.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,580 | $37.78 |
Median Salary Position
13.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Holly Springs
In Holly Springs, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,624 (2026 est.). At $56,517, the local median is 13.6% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Holly Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Holly Springs Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Holly Springs median: $56,517/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Holly Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,567 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -13.60% less |
Athletic Trainers in Holly Springs, NC earn a median of $56,517 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.60% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.50% below the North Carolina state average of $58,567.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Holly Springs 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.
Holly Springs, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $56,517 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,381 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,851
2025 BLS Actual
$54,016
2026 Current Est.
$56,517
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Holly Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,851 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,078 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,834 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,517 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,771 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,016 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,134 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Holly Springs metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,851 (2019) to $54,016 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,134 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,283 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Holly Springs 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) | $46,956 – $50,434 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,434 – $56,517 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,517 – $67,318 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,318 – $78,580 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Holly Springs
Within Holly Springs, the job market comprises approximately 10 employed athletic trainers, which indicates a relatively small but stable community of professionals in the area. With a cost-of-living index lower than the national average, trainers may find that their take-home pay stretches further even if the salaries do not match national figures. Factors influencing compensation include the type of employer, with industrial and occupational health settings typically offering more lucrative positions compared to roles in high schools or colleges. The spread in pay is driven by the differences in responsibilities, with head athletic trainers generally earning more than assistants and opportunities for additional compensation through evening and weekend events. For trainers aiming to maximize their earnings in Holly Springs, pursuing certifications such as the CSCS or OCS-AT may provide an edge in negotiations, particularly in settings that recognize advanced qualifications as key to delivering exceptional care in this evolving field.
More salary data for Holly Springs, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $54,016 for athletic trainersin the Holly Springs 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 Holly Springs 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