Athletic Trainer Salary in Pine Bluff, AR: $55,486 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Pine Bluff, AR earns a median $55,486/year (≈ $26.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Pine Bluff's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $63,850 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Pine Bluff, AR, can expect a median annual salary of $55,486 in 2026, which reflects the regional dynamics between school-year and year-round employment settings. The local salary range stretches from $42,518 at the lower end (P10) to $78,388 for the highest earners (P90). These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, refined for local cost and economic factors. While the compensation here is lower than the national median of $65,415, the growth trajectory for athletic trainer salaries in Pine Bluff is projected at 4.63%, indicating a potentially vibrant job market for athletic trainers looking for career advancement opportunities.
About the Pine Bluff Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,518 | $20.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,145 | $23.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,486 | $26.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,804 | $32.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,388 | $37.69 |
Median Salary Position
15.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pine Bluff
In Pine Bluff, AR, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,870 (2026 est.). At $55,486, the local median is 15.18% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pine Bluff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pine Bluff Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Pine Bluff median: $55,486/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pine Bluff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $56,851 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -15.18% less |
Athletic Trainers in Pine Bluff, AR earn a median of $55,486 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.18% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.40% below the Arkansas state average of $56,851.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pine Bluff 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.
Pine Bluff, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $55,486 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,850 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,088
2025 BLS Actual
$53,031
2026 Current Est.
$55,486
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Pine Bluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,088 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,292 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,071 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,668 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,138 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,715 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,031 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,486 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,055 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pine Bluff metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,088 (2019) to $53,031 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,055 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,967 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pine Bluff 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) | $42,518 – $48,145 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,145 – $55,486 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,486 – $66,804 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,804 – $78,388 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Pine Bluff
In Pine Bluff, the employment landscape features eight athletic trainers, indicating an intimate yet competitive market for aspiring professionals. The city boasts a cost-of-living index of 86.9, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost regions. Among local employers, secondary schools offer athletic trainer positions, but industrial and occupational health settings—such as those working for companies like Toyota and FedEx—tend to pay significantly more, reflecting the demand for year-round contracts. This pay variation arises from factors including the role's setting, whether in professional sports, industrial health, or schools, as well as differing responsibilities, such as head versus assistant positions, and any specialized certifications. To maximize potential earnings, athletic trainers in Pine Bluff should focus on gaining additional qualifications and seeking out opportunities in industrial settings where compensation is generally higher.
More salary data for Pine Bluff, 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 $53,031 for athletic trainersin the Pine Bluff 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 Pine Bluff 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