Athletic Trainer Salary in Nashville, TN: $64,693 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Nashville, TN earns a median $64,693/year (≈ $31.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $67,152 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in Nashville, TN, is $64,693 in 2026, reflecting a slight dip of 1.10% from the national median of $65,415. This salary range spans from $52,231 at the 10th percentile to $74,580 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diverse earning potential within the field. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected for 2026, reveals a market that has been reshaped by the 2022 transition to a master's degree requirement for entry-level positions. As Nashville’s athletic training sector continues to grow, job opportunities remain robust across high schools, colleges, and professional sports teams, ultimately influencing overall compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,231 | $25.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,540 | $28.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,693 | $31.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,612 | $32.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,580 | $35.86 |
Median Salary Position
1.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,349 (2026 est.). At $64,693, the local median is 1.1% below the national median of $65,415.
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How Nashville Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Nashville median: $64,693/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $60,068 | +7.70% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -1.10% less |
Athletic Trainers in Nashville, TN earn a median of $64,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.10% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.70% above the Tennessee state average of $60,068.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $64,693 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,152 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,650
2025 BLS Actual
$61,830
2026 Current Est.
$64,693
2019–2027 Growth
+51.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,693 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,688 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 38.5% from $44,650 (2019) to $61,830 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,688 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,038 (51.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $52,231 – $58,540 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,540 – $64,693 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,693 – $67,612 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,612 – $74,580 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Nashville
In Nashville, approximately 230 athletic trainers are employed, showcasing a competitive local job market. The cost of living index stands at 96.338, which indicates that salaries can stretch further in this city compared to national averages. Athletic trainers in settings such as professional sports teams typically command higher pay, reflecting the demands and visibility associated with these roles. In contrast, those working in educational environments may earn less, often depending on the employment model—school-year versus year-round contracts—and their specific responsibilities, such as head vs. assistant athletic trainers. Additional certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT can also contribute significantly to income. For those seeking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Nashville, targeting high-demand settings and pursuing professional development opportunities would be advantageous in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Nashville, 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 $61,830 for athletic trainersin the Nashville 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