Athletic Trainer Salary in Bentonville, AR: $56,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Bentonville, AR earns a median $56,158/year (≈ $26.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Bentonville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $64,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Bentonville, Arkansas, can expect a median annual salary of $56,158 in 2026, reflecting the ongoing debate between school-year contracts and year-round positions in industrial settings. The projected pay spans a range from $41,045 at the entry level to $77,280 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data alongside regional price adjustments. This compensation landscape in Bentonville reveals the influences of local market dynamics and the variety of professional environments available for athletic trainers.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,045 | $19.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,795 | $24.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,158 | $26.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,987 | $31.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,280 | $37.15 |
Median Salary Position
14.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bentonville
In Bentonville, AR, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,235 (2026 est.). At $56,158, the local median is 14.15% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bentonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bentonville Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Bentonville median: $56,158/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bentonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $56,840 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -14.15% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bentonville has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bentonville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $56,158 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,624 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,585
2025 BLS Actual
$53,673
2026 Current Est.
$56,158
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,585 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,804 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,568 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,221 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,733 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,207 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,673 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,758 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bentonville metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,585 (2019) to $53,673 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,758 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,173 (41.30%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,045 – $50,795 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,795 – $56,158 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,158 – $65,987 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,987 – $77,280 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Bentonville
With only 12 athletic trainers currently employed in Bentonville, market demand appears relatively stable but limited. The cost-of-living index stands at 86.9, which is below the national average, suggesting that purchasing power may be impacted. In this city, secondary schools generally offer lower salaries, while industrial and occupational health settings, such as those at Toyota, Boeing, and FedEx, tend to provide the most competitive pay. The disparity between salaries can also be attributed to the nature of employment contracts—school-year versus year-round roles—as well as the differences between head athletic trainers and assistants. Additionally, stipends for evening or weekend events and specialized certifications can further elevate an athletic trainer's earning potential. To maximize earnings in Bentonville, professionals should consider pursuing advanced certifications and seeking opportunities in industrial environments that provide higher compensation compared to traditional educational settings.
More salary data for Bentonville, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $53,673 for athletic trainersin the Bentonville metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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