Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Hattiesburg, MS: $21.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Hattiesburg, MS runs $21.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,223 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Hattiesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,134 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Athletic trainers in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, receive an estimated hourly rate of $21.74, which falls significantly below the national hourly median of $31.45. This discrepancy means that those working part-time—typically three days a week—may see lower annual earnings, yet still enjoy the flexibility of balancing their career with other responsibilities. Per-diem athletic trainers, who cover events at various settings such as high school training rooms, college facilities, and professional teams, earn between $17.64 and $29.76 per hour. For new entrants, the starting pay is around $17.64, while experienced trainers can reach the higher end at $29.76. These estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlight the wide range within the field and reveal the varying compensation tailored to different types of work environments, such as sports teams and healthcare facilities.
About the Hattiesburg Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.64 | $141.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.60 | $156.78 |
| Median (P50) | $21.74 | $173.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.59 | $204.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.76 | $238.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hattiesburg
Based on $21.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.74/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hattiesburg, MS can expect to earn approximately $45,224 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,091. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hattiesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hattiesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $869.68 | $3,769 | $45,224 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $521.81 | $2,261 | $27,134 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $347.87 | $1,507 | $18,089 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Hattiesburg) | $21.74 |
| 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 Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $45,223 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.87% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 4.60% below the Mississippi state average of $47,404.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.74/hr = $27,134/year (purchasing power: $31,662).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,224/year (purchasing power: $52,770).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Hattiesburg grew 29.1% from $16.10/hr (2019) to $20.78/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.75/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 Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg
Considering part-time work at 24 hours a week, an athletic trainer in Hattiesburg might take home approximately $27,000 annually, contrasting sharply with a fully employed professional who could make significantly more. The landscape for per diem positions offers varied pay, with event coverage generally fetching between $200 and $500 per occasion, while industrial settings often compensate higher, billing rates of $50 to $80 per hour. Employment settings play a critical role in determining pay rates; those in secondary schools and NCAA colleges in Hattiesburg might find lower hourly rates, while industrial athletic trainers or those with agency contracts usually command better compensation. Health insurance can be a trade-off, as athletic trainers may accept lower hourly wages for the benefits of full-time positions. As Hattiesburg prepares for the evolving demands of the profession post-2022 master’s transition, it’s crucial for trainers to negotiate wisely and consider trade-offs in compensation and benefits tailored to their specific career paths.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Hattiesburg in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Hattiesburg?
Are athletic trainers in Hattiesburg paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Hattiesburg?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in Hattiesburg?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Mississippi
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 Hattiesburg. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hattiesburg 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