Athletic Trainer Salary in Pearl, MS: $46,949 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Pearl, MS earns a median $46,949/year (≈ $22.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Pearl's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $54,783 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Pearl, Mississippi, the transition to a master's degree requirement for athletic trainers, which took effect in 2022, has had a significant impact on entry-level compensation. As of 2026, the median annual salary for an athletic trainer in Pearl is projected at $46,949, which is notably lower than the national median of $65,415, reflecting a -28.23% difference. The salary range for athletic trainers in the area spans from $36,980 at the 10th percentile to $63,244 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local regional price parities, indicate that while the profession is facing pressures due to educational shifts, there remains a stable demand for skilled athletic trainers in the local job market.
About the Pearl Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,588 | $19.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,949 | $22.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,540 | $26.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,244 | $30.41 |
Median Salary Position
28.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pearl
In Pearl, MS, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,264 (2026 est.). At $46,949, the local median is 28.23% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pearl: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pearl Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Pearl median: $46,949/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pearl Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $47,375 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -28.23% less |
Athletic Trainers in Pearl, MS earn a median of $46,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.23% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 0.90% below the Mississippi state average of $47,375.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pearl has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pearl, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $46,949 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,783 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,766
2025 BLS Actual
$44,871
2026 Current Est.
$46,949
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Pearl (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,766 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,785 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,751 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,641 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,746 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,871 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,949 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,122 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pearl metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $34,766 (2019) to $44,871 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,122 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,356 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearl 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) | $36,980 – $41,588 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,588 – $46,949 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,949 – $54,540 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,540 – $63,244 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Pearl
The local employment landscape reveals that there are currently six athletic trainers working in Pearl, indicating a modest yet steady presence of professionals in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, the economic environment in Pearl allows for a more favorable purchasing power compared to the national average. For those seeking the highest-paying positions, opportunities within secondary schools, colleges, and even industrial health settings—such as those at large employers like Toyota—tend to offer more competitive salaries than traditional school settings. Variations in pay often stem from factors such as work setting, the nature of contracts (e.g., year-round vs. school-year positions), and additional responsibilities associated with head athletic trainer roles. For aspiring athletic trainers looking to maximize their pay in Pearl, obtaining additional certifications, such as the CSCS or OCS-AT, and pursuing roles in the industrial sector could significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Pearl, MS:
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 $44,871 for athletic trainersin the Pearl 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 Pearl 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