Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Bentonville, AR: $26.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Bentonville, AR runs $26.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,158 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Bentonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,689 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Bentonville, Arkansas, offers athletic trainer hourly pay projected at $26.99 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.45. This wage provides a solid foundation for both part-time and per-diem athletic trainers working across various settings. For those employed three days a week, this translates to around 24 hours, allowing for flexible scheduling that accommodates multiple pursuits. Entry-level positions start at approximately $19.73 per hour, while seasoned professionals or those in specialized roles can earn up to $37.15 per hour. The hourly range reflects the varied environments in which athletic trainers operate, including high school training rooms, collegiate athletic facilities, and even industrial work settings such as military bases and outpatient clinics. This diversity in employment can influence the overall earnings potential for athletic trainers within the region.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.73 | $157.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.42 | $195.37 |
| Median (P50) | $26.99 | $215.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.72 | $253.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.15 | $297.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bentonville
Based on $26.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.99/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bentonville, AR can expect to earn approximately $56,149 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,393. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bentonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bentonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,079.78 | $4,679 | $56,149 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $647.87 | $2,807 | $33,689 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $431.91 | $1,872 | $22,459 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Bentonville) | $26.99 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Athletic Trainers in Bentonville, AR earn a median of $56,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.15% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $56,840.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.99/hr = $33,689/year (purchasing power: $38,768).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,149/year (purchasing power: $64,613).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Bentonville grew 29.1% from $19.99/hr (2019) to $25.80/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.24/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem athletic trainers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bentonville 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.
Working as an Hourly Athletic Trainer in Bentonville
Assessing the financial landscape, part-time athletic trainers in Bentonville working 24 hours weekly may see annual earnings that significantly differ from their full-time counterparts. These trainers can take home about $33,590 annually, providing a viable supplement to other incomes or student endeavors. On the other hand, per diem roles, such as game coverage for local sports events, can command rates ranging from $200 to $500 per event, while industrial athletic trainers in larger corporations may charge between $50 and $80 per hour. College bowl games and playoff coverage often yield stipends of $200 to $1,000 for the event. Differences in employer types — from secondary schools to professional sports teams and industrial health facilities — can also lead to variations in pay structure. It's common for some trainers to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others prefer higher hourly rates without additional perks. In Bentonville's competitive market, effective negotiation is key. Athletic trainers can enhance their compensation potential by demonstrating specialized skills or seeking roles in higher-paying sectors like industrial settings associated with major employers such as Toyota or FedEx.
More salary data for Bentonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Bentonville in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for athletic trainers in Bentonville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bentonville 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