Athletic Trainer Salary in Knoxville, TN: $62,328 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Knoxville, TN earns a median $62,328/year (≈ $29.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $67,331 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in Knoxville, TN, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $62,328 in 2026, which reflects a slight undercut compared to the national median of $65,415. The salary range varies significantly from $48,716 at the 10th percentile to $80,869 at the 90th percentile. This compensation data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) based on 2025 figures, highlights the distinct gulf between those employed in traditional sports environments, such as high schools and colleges, versus their counterparts working in industrial settings. The growing presence of athletic trainers in industrial roles significantly impacts salary dynamics by offering more competitive pay, further shaping Knoxville's job market landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,716 | $23.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,880 | $25.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,328 | $29.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,754 | $32.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,869 | $38.88 |
Median Salary Position
4.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,153 (2026 est.). At $62,328, the local median is 4.72% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $62,328/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $60,046 | +3.80% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -4.72% less |
Athletic Trainers in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $62,328 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.72% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.80% above the Tennessee state average of $60,046.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $62,328 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,331 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,800
2025 BLS Actual
$59,570
2026 Current Est.
$62,328
2019–2027 Growth
+56.0%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,328 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 42.5% from $41,800 (2019) to $59,570 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,414 (56.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $48,716 – $52,880 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,880 – $62,328 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,328 – $66,754 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,754 – $80,869 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Knoxville
In Knoxville, there are currently 70 athletic trainers employed, with a favorable cost of living index of 92.569, indicating that take-home purchasing power can be quite reasonable despite the slightly lower salary averages compared to the national scene. Among local employers, industrial settings like Toyota and Boeing tend to offer the highest pay, often exceeding what can be earned in traditional school or collegiate positions. Factors driving the salary disparity include the nature of employment (professional sports roles commanding higher wages than educational institutions), lengths of contracts, and various certifications, which can impact earning potential significantly. For those aiming to increase their athletic trainer pay in Knoxville, securing year-round positions, pursuing additional credentials from the BOC or NATA, and seeking roles in occupational health industries could prove advantageous.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
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 $59,570 for athletic trainersin the Knoxville 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