Athletic Trainer Salary in Southaven, MS: $46,625 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Southaven, MS earns a median $46,625/year (≈ $22.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Southaven's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $54,405 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Southaven, Mississippi, can anticipate a median annual salary of $46,625. This figure reflects a competitive salary range, with entry-level positions earning as low as $37,492 and experienced trainers making up to $63,885. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, position Southaven's athletic trainer pay as approximately 28.72% lower than the national median of $65,415. This shift in entry compensation is influenced by the transition to a master's degree requirement established in 2022, which affects new professionals entering the field. With 14 athletic trainers currently employed in the area, the local job market presents a modest landscape for those seeking to establish their careers.
About the Southaven Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,492 | $18.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,936 | $20.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,625 | $22.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,477 | $26.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,885 | $30.71 |
Median Salary Position
28.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Southaven
In Southaven, MS, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,393 (2026 est.). At $46,625, the local median is 28.72% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Southaven: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Southaven Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Southaven median: $46,625/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Southaven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $47,383 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -28.72% less |
Athletic Trainers in Southaven, MS earn a median of $46,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.72% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.60% below the Mississippi state average of $47,383.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Southaven 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.
Southaven, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $46,625 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,405 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,526
2025 BLS Actual
$44,562
2026 Current Est.
$46,625
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Southaven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,526 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,538 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,512 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,375 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,466 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,562 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,625 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,784 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Southaven metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $34,526 (2019) to $44,562 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,784 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,258 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Southaven 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) | $37,492 – $41,936 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,936 – $46,625 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,625 – $54,477 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,477 – $63,885 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Southaven
The cost of living index in Southaven currently sits at 85.7, indicating a lower-than-average expense for residents, which impacts take-home purchasing power for athletic trainers. While high school and collegiate positions may provide steady work, those in industrial settings—such as Toyota or FedEx—often see significantly higher salaries. Factors contributing to the variance in compensation include the type of employment (professional sports versus academic settings), the nature of contracts (year-round versus school-year), and additional roles such as head athletic trainers versus assistants. Prospective applicants would benefit from strategies that enhance their credentials, such as obtaining specialization certifications or seeking positions that offer overtime pay for evening or weekend events. Understanding these dynamics can empower athletic trainers in Southaven, MS, to enhance their earning potential effectively.
More salary data for Southaven, 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 $44,562 for athletic trainersin the Southaven 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 Southaven 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