Athletic Trainer salary in Columbia, SC
Athletic Trainers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $58,170 a year, based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,620 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $62,520. Pay here is 2% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $59,240. There are 0.25 athletic trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for athletic trainers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,260 |
| 25th percentile | $53,480 |
| Median | $58,170 |
| 75th percentile | $66,500 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,620 |
| Average (mean) | $58,740 |
Half of athletic trainers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,847.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,423.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,237.31 |
| Weekly | $1,118.65 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because athletic trainers are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Athletic Trainer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $62,690 | 100 |
| Florence, SC | $60,550 | 60 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $57,520 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $56,970 | 310 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $54,550 | 40 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $51,240 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for athletic trainers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $78,490 |
| Hawaii | $76,320 |
| New Jersey | $76,210 |
| District of Columbia | $74,450 |
| New Mexico | $72,440 |
| Massachusetts | $70,010 |
| Connecticut | $69,960 |
| New York | $66,230 |
| Utah | $65,980 |
| Minnesota | $65,390 |
See Athletic Trainer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $49,290 | $23.70 |
| Surgical Assistant | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| Registered Nurse | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $62,650 | $30.12 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a athletic trainer make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for athletic trainers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $58,170 a year. Pay ranges from $45,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid athletic trainers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of athletic trainers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $66,620 a year. The top 25% earn $66,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for athletic trainers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,260 a year, and a quarter of athletic trainers earn $53,480 or less.
How many athletic trainers work in Columbia, SC?
About 100 athletic trainers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.