Athletic Trainer Salary in Wilmington, NC: $58,572 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Wilmington, NC earns a median $58,572/year (≈ $28.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $60,745 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
At $58,572, athletic trainer salaries in Wilmington, North Carolina are notably lower than the national median of $65,415. This difference arises from the distinct employment settings available in the area, where athletic trainers often serve in high school athletic programs, colleges, and even industrial environments. The salary range in Wilmington spans from $52,870 at the 10th percentile to $79,017 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variability of compensation based on experience, employment type, and specialization. Such figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which provide a clear snapshot of the local market. Those pursuing athletic training careers in Wilmington should consider how this pay rate influences both entry-level opportunities and ongoing professional growth within the community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,870 | $25.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,668 | $27.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,572 | $28.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,757 | $33.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,017 | $37.99 |
Median Salary Position
10.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,147 (2026 est.). At $58,572, the local median is 10.46% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wilmington Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $58,572/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,415 | -10.46% less |
Athletic Trainers in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $58,572 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.46% lower than the national median of $65,415.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $58,572 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,745 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,710
2025 BLS Actual
$55,980
2026 Current Est.
$58,572
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,572 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,284 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 37.5% from $40,710 (2019) to $55,980 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,284 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,574 (50.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $52,870 – $56,668 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,668 – $58,572 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,572 – $69,757 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,757 – $79,017 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Wilmington
Employers in Wilmington represent a variety of settings that impact athletic trainer pay. With about 30 athletic trainers currently employed in the area, the local market is modest but competitively structured. The cost of living index in Wilmington stands at 96.422, indicating lower living expenses compared to the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power. Among the top-paying employers are secondary schools and colleges, particularly if they offer NCAA-level programs. Those in industrial or occupational health sectors, such as positions with companies like Toyota or Boeing, frequently command higher salaries due to the specialized nature of the work. Factors contributing to compensation disparities include the type of contracts—year-round versus school-year—along with differing responsibilities linked to head athletic trainers versus assistant roles. To maximize earnings in this market, candidates should pursue advanced certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT and seek out year-round opportunities in the more lucrative industrial health space.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $55,980 for athletic trainersin the Wilmington 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, 6-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