Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Russellville, AR: $26.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Russellville, AR runs $26.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,939 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Russellville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,958 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Athletic trainers in Russellville, Arkansas, earn a median hourly rate of $26.41, positioning them below the national median of $31.45 per hour. This discrepancy can significantly impact those pursuing part-time and per-diem opportunities in typical settings such as high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, industrial workplaces, military bases, and outpatient clinics. For athletic trainers working just three days a week, this hourly pay means an income of roughly $27,000 annually if they work around 24 hours per week. Entry-level positions may offer around $22.01, while those excelling in their careers can earn as much as $36.87 hourly, showcasing a positive income trajectory in this rewarding profession. It is essential to consider that these hourly rates are estimates derived from annual salary data, which provides a broad outlook on compensation.
About the Russellville 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) | $22.01 | $176.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.21 | $193.69 |
| Median (P50) | $26.41 | $211.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.47 | $251.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.87 | $294.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Russellville
Based on $26.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.41/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Russellville, AR can expect to earn approximately $54,930 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,690. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Russellville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Russellville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,056.34 | $4,577 | $54,930 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $633.81 | $2,746 | $32,958 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $422.54 | $1,831 | $21,972 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Russellville) | $26.41 |
| 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 Russellville, AR earn a median of $54,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.01% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 3.40% below the Arkansas state average of $56,873.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.41/hr = $32,958/year (purchasing power: $37,926).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,930/year (purchasing power: $63,210).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Russellville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Russellville grew 29.1% from $19.56/hr (2019) to $25.24/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.63/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 Russellville 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 Russellville
When looking deeper into the earning potential for part-time trainers, someone working three days a week at the median hourly rate could find themselves with earnings that can vary significantly from full-time counterparts. Per-diem or agency athletic trainers often make between $200 and $500 for game coverage, reflecting the premium for event-based work. Moreover, those in industrial settings like Toyota or FedEx often receive higher rates, billing at $50-$80 per hour, showcasing the lucrative nature of occupational health roles compared to school-based positions. Athletic trainers may have to weigh the trade-offs between potentially lower hourly wages that come with benefits such as health insurance versus the higher pay of freelance roles that offer no benefits. Negotiating hourly rates in Russellville should also consider local industry standards, the growing demand in athletic training, and the educational transition to a master's degree as required by the NATA and BOC, positioning trainers to advocate effectively for their worth in various employment sectors.
More salary data for Russellville, 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 Russellville. 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 Russellville 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