Athletic Trainer Salary in Arkansas: $59,446 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $59,446/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,407 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($63,370), Springdale ($63,325), Fayetteville ($62,350).
When considering a career as an athletic trainer in Arkansas, it's important to examine the salary landscape. The 2026 average median salary for athletic trainers in the state is projected to be $59,447, which is approximately 9.1% lower than the national median of $65,415. In Arkansas, the highest paying city for this profession is Rogers, with a salary of $66,304, while Van Buren offers the lowest, at $52,766. This significant salary gap of $13,538 can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for athletic trainers, and the presence of varying sports programs in different areas. Arkansas has specific licensing requirements and a defined scope of practice for athletic trainers, which can influence salary levels across the state. The current job market shows a growth rate of 4.63% for athletic trainers, suggesting increasing demand for professionals in this field. In 2026, projections indicate that the top cities for athletic trainers will include Rogers, Springdale at $66,257, Fayetteville at $65,237, Little Rock at $59,367, and North Little Rock at $58,491. This positive outlook highlights the potential and opportunities available for those pursuing a career in athletic training within Arkansas.
Arkansas Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $41,045 (lowest entry-level) to $93,861 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas athletic trainers earn 9.12% less than the national median ($-5,969/year difference).
Arkansas Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Arkansas range from $48,330 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,455 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,446. The Arkansas median is $5,969 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $28.58/hr. Approximately 313 athletic trainers are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,063
2025 BLS Actual
$56,816
2026 Current Est.
$59,446
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,063 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,995 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,322 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,767 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,816 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,446 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,199 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 13.5% from $50,063 (2019) to $56,816 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,199 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,136 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $66,304 | 86.9 | $76,299 |
| Springdale | $66,257 | 86.9 | $76,245 |
| Fayetteville | $65,237 | 91.353 | $71,412 |
| North Little Rock | $58,491 | 86.9 | $67,308 |
| Conway | $58,106 | 86.9 | $66,865 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,330 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,446 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,455 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $66,304 |
| 2 | Springdale | $66,257 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $65,237 |
| 4 | Little Rock | $59,367 |
| 5 | North Little Rock | $58,491 |
| 6 | Conway | $58,106 |
| 7 | Jonesboro | $57,625 |
| 8 | Fort Smith | $57,535 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | $56,434 |
| 10 | Bentonville | $56,158 |
| 11 | Benton | $55,689 |
| 12 | Hot Springs | $55,636 |
| 13 | Paragould | $55,530 |
| 14 | Pine Bluff | $55,486 |
| 15 | Sherwood | $55,231 |
| 16 | Russellville | $54,939 |
| 17 | Cabot | $54,692 |
| 18 | Texarkana | $54,680 |
| 19 | Searcy | $54,121 |
| 20 | Bryant | $53,715 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $52,766 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore athletic trainer hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Arkansas?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 athletic trainer compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more athletic trainerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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