Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, AR: $31.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Fayetteville, AR runs $31.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,237 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.4, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,147 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, the projected athletic trainer hourly pay for 2026 is set at $31.37, which is slightly below the national median of $31.45 per hour. This rate is noteworthy for both part-time and per-diem athletic trainers who often work in diverse environments, including high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and even industrial workplaces. With an hourly range from $28.31 at the entry-level (P10) to as high as $40.62 for the most experienced professionals (P90), this field offers competitive compensation relative to its educational requirements. According to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, around 50 athletic trainers are employed in Fayetteville, and this median hourly rate reflects the demand and responsibility that comes with their roles, especially in a rapidly evolving field that recently transitioned to a master's degree requirement in 2022.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.31 | $226.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.29 | $234.29 |
| Median (P50) | $31.37 | $250.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.60 | $268.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.62 | $324.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $31.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.37/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, AR can expect to earn approximately $65,246 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,642. With a cost-of-living index of 91.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,254.72 | $5,437 | $65,246 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $752.83 | $3,262 | $39,147 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $501.89 | $2,175 | $26,098 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Fayetteville) | $31.37 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Athletic Trainers in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $65,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.27% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 14.80% above the Arkansas state average of $56,826.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.37/hr = $39,147/year (purchasing power: $42,853).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,246/year (purchasing power: $71,421).
CoL index: 91.353 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Fayetteville grew 8.2% from $27.72/hr (2019) to $29.98/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.82/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem athletic trainers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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.
Working as an Hourly Athletic Trainer in Fayetteville
For athletic trainers working part-time in Fayetteville, those with a typical schedule of three days a week can expect to take home approximately $39,000 annually, which is less than their full-time counterparts but still offers viable earning potential. Per diem athletic trainers often earn between $200 and $500 per event; in contrast, agency and locum positions can see hourly rates ranging from $50 to $80 when contracted by larger industrial clients, such as Toyota or Boeing. Athletic trainers in secondary schools, colleges, and professional sports settings often encounter different pay scales, influenced heavily by the specific demands of their positions. While some may accept lower hourly wages for the trade-off of health benefits, others prioritize higher pay without benefits in the industrial sector. Negotiating hourly rates can be strategic; being aware of the local market conditions and the varying demands can help ensure a good fit, both financially and professionally, in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for athletic trainers in Fayetteville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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