Athletic Trainer Salary in Paragould, AR: $55,530 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Paragould, AR earns a median $55,530/year (≈ $26.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Paragould's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $63,901 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Paragould, Arkansas, the projected annual compensation for athletic trainers in 2026 stands at $55,530, which is significantly below the national median of $65,415. This disparity highlights the divide caused by the local job market, where the pay range spans from $42,685 at the 10th percentile to $78,673 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level BLS data coupled with regional price adjustments, reflect the demand for athletic trainers in an area where industrial and occupational settings may offer higher salaries compared to traditional sports roles. The job market in Paragould is shaped by a mix of opportunities, but growth in salaries is moderate, anticipated to rise at an annual rate of 4.63%.
About the Paragould Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,685 | $20.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,387 | $24.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,868 | $32.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,673 | $37.82 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paragould
In Paragould, AR, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,988 (2026 est.). At $55,530, the local median is 15.11% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paragould: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paragould Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Paragould median: $55,530/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paragould Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $56,838 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -15.11% less |
Athletic Trainers in Paragould, AR earn a median of $55,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.30% below the Arkansas state average of $56,838.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paragould 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.
Paragould, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $55,530 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,901 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,121
2025 BLS Actual
$53,073
2026 Current Est.
$55,530
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Paragould (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,121 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,326 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,104 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,705 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,177 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,747 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,073 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,530 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,101 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paragould metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,121 (2019) to $53,073 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,101 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,980 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paragould 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) | $42,685 – $50,387 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,387 – $55,530 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,530 – $66,868 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,868 – $78,673 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Paragould
The employment of seven athletic trainers in Paragould illustrates a small but established market for this profession, particularly in light of the area’s cost of living index of 86.9. This figure suggests that although the salaries may appear lower than the national average, the purchasing power for athletic trainers in Paragould could be more favorable. Industrial settings, such as those at Toyota or nearby manufacturing facilities, typically offer higher compensation compared to positions in high schools or even some colleges. Factors such as full-time versus part-time positions, contract duration, and additional certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT also contribute to the salary variations. To maximize earnings, aspiring athletic trainers should consider seeking roles in industrial or occupational health environments and enhance their qualifications through continued education and certification.
More salary data for Paragould, 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 $53,073 for athletic trainersin the Paragould 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 Paragould 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