Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $28.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Little Rock, AR runs $28.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,367 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,622 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Little Rock, Arkansas, can expect a median hourly pay of $28.54, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.45. This rate reflects the variety of settings in which athletic trainers work, including high school training facilities, college sports programs, professional teams, and industrial workplaces. For part-time athletic trainers, who typically work around three days a week, this hourly figure translates into a decent income, though it may be less than what full-time trainers earn. The hourly pay ranges from $23.55 at the entry-level to $35.29 for the upper 10% of earners in the area, providing a spectrum of opportunities for individuals at different stages of their athletic training careers. These figures come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data and are vital for understanding local compensation in this field.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.55 | $188.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.94 | $207.50 |
| Median (P50) | $28.54 | $228.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.79 | $238.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.29 | $282.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $28.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.54/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $59,370 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,252. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,141.72 | $4,947 | $59,370 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.03 | $2,968 | $35,622 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.69 | $1,979 | $23,748 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Little Rock) | $28.54 |
| 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 Little Rock, AR earn a median of $59,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.25% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.40% above the Arkansas state average of $56,865.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.54/hr = $35,622/year (purchasing power: $39,861).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,370/year (purchasing power: $66,436).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Little Rock grew 24.7% from $21.88/hr (2019) to $27.28/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.86/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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock
When considering the annual income from a part-time role, an athletic trainer working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $35,796, which may pale in comparison to full-time earnings. For those seeking supplemental income, per diem athletic trainer pay in Little Rock can vary significantly, with game coverage typically rewarding between $200-$500 per event. Meanwhile, industrial athletic trainers may command billing rates of $50-$80 per hour when contracted by large companies like Toyota or Boeing. The differences in hourly rates across various employer types highlight the decisions trainers face. Many accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, while others might prefer higher pay without benefits. For negotiations, it’s wise to emphasize unique skills or certifications, particularly given the recent master's degree requirement for entry into the profession as of 2022. Whether one aspires to work in traditional sports or emerging industrial settings, the athletic trainer hourly pay in Little Rock reflects the evolving needs of the field.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
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
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 Little Rock. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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