Athletic Trainer Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $57,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $57,747/year (≈ $27.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $61,696 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainer salaries in Wake Forest, North Carolina, are projected to reach a median of $57,747, reflecting the evolving landscape of the profession post-master’s degree transition in 2022. The salary range spans from $46,642 at the 10th percentile to $83,051 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation structure influenced by experience, certification, and employment settings. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors suggest that Wake Forest's athletic trainer pay is approximately 11.72% lower than the national median of $65,415. With only nine athletic trainers employed in the city, the job market dynamics may also influence salary potential and opportunities for growth.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,642 | $22.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,747 | $27.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,828 | $33.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,051 | $39.93 |
Median Salary Position
11.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,409 (2026 est.). At $57,747, the local median is 11.72% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $57,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,567 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -11.72% less |
Athletic Trainers in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $57,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.72% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $58,567.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,747 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,696 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,762
2025 BLS Actual
$55,192
2026 Current Est.
$57,747
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,762 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,016 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,745 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,529 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,832 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,192 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,421 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,762 (2019) to $55,192 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,421 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,659 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $46,642 – $50,830 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,830 – $57,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,747 – $69,828 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,828 – $83,051 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Wake Forest
The cost of living index in Wake Forest stands at 93.6, below the national average, which means that while salaries may be lower than in some regions, purchasing power remains relatively balanced for local residents. Employers in this area vary in pay, with high school athletic trainers typically earning less than those working in collegiate or professional sports environments. The salary spread between various roles can be attributed to factors such as the type of employment (industrial versus traditional sports), length of contracts (school-year versus year-round), and individual responsibilities, such as those held by head athletic trainers versus assistants. Additionally, obtaining certifications such as the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) can enhance a trainer's marketability and pay. Focusing on networking within collegiate programs or exploring industrial positions can provide avenues for maximizing earning potential in Wake Forest, NC.
More salary data for Wake Forest, 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 $55,192 for athletic trainersin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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