Athletic Trainer Salary in Jonesboro, AR: $57,625 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Jonesboro, AR earns a median $57,625/year (≈ $27.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Jonesboro's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $66,312 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as an athletic trainer in Jonesboro, AR, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $57,625. This figure reflects a local market that is notably 11.91% lower than the national median of $65,415. The salary range for athletic trainers in the area varies widely, with the 10th percentile earning approximately $44,522 and the 90th percentile reaching up to $82,452. These estimates, derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, reveal a landscape where compensation is influenced by the 2022 transition to a master's degree requirement for entry-level positions, reshaping both initial job offerings and salary benchmarks.
About the Jonesboro Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,522 | $21.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,468 | $24.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,625 | $27.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,426 | $33.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,452 | $39.64 |
Median Salary Position
11.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jonesboro
In Jonesboro, AR, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,930 (2026 est.). At $57,625, the local median is 11.91% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jonesboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jonesboro Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Jonesboro median: $57,625/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jonesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $56,829 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | -11.91% less |
Athletic Trainers in Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $57,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.91% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.40% above the Arkansas state average of $56,829.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jonesboro 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.
Jonesboro, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $57,625 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,312 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,672
2025 BLS Actual
$55,075
2026 Current Est.
$57,625
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,672 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,923 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,654 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,429 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,032 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,284 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,075 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,625 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,293 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jonesboro metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,672 (2019) to $55,075 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,293 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,621 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro 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) | $44,522 – $50,468 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,468 – $57,625 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,625 – $69,426 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,426 – $82,452 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Jonesboro
Evaluating the job market for athletic trainers in Jonesboro indicates that there are currently 21 professionals in the field, which speaks to a relatively concentrated employment environment. With a cost-of-living index at 86.9, those entering the profession can still find that their purchasing power holds strong compared to many major urban areas. Employers in Jonesboro span various settings, including secondary schools, colleges, outpatient clinics, and industrial health environments like Toyota and FedEx, where pay can be significantly higher. Pay disparities arise from several factors, including the type of setting, the distinction between head and assistant athletic trainers, as well as bonuses for extra duties like evening sporting events. Aspiring athletic trainers in Jonesboro should consider acquiring additional certifications, such as CSCS or OCS-AT, to position themselves favorably for enhanced earning potential in their field.
More salary data for Jonesboro, 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 $55,075 for athletic trainersin the Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro 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