Athletic Trainer Salary in Benton, AR: $55,689 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Benton, AR earns a median $55,689/year (≈ $26.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $64,084 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Benton, Arkansas, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $55,689 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $65,415. The salary range for this profession in the area stretches from $42,837 at the 10th percentile to $75,778 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse set of compensation possibilities. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjustments for regional cost of living, providing an accurate local context. One key factor affecting earnings is the industry of employment; those working in industrial or occupational health settings often earn significantly more than their counterparts in traditional sports environments such as high schools or colleges. Given Benton’s market dynamics, understanding these compensation differences is critical for potential job seekers.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,837 | $20.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,571 | $23.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,689 | $26.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,158 | $31.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,778 | $36.43 |
Median Salary Position
14.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,941 (2026 est.). At $55,689, the local median is 14.87% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Benton Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Benton median: $55,689/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $56,826 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -14.87% less |
Athletic Trainers in Benton, AR earn a median of $55,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.87% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $56,826.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton 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.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $55,689 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,084 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,238
2025 BLS Actual
$53,225
2026 Current Est.
$55,689
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,238 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,447 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,221 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,835 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,317 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,225 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,689 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,268 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $41,238 (2019) to $53,225 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,268 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,030 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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) | $42,837 – $48,571 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,571 – $55,689 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,689 – $65,158 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,158 – $75,778 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Benton
In Benton, the job market for athletic trainers is relatively modest, with only five professionals currently employed in this capacity. The local cost of living, indexed at 86.9, indicates that salaries stretch a bit further than they would in many other regions, potentially enhancing take-home purchasing power. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include industrial and occupational health facilities, such as Toyota and FedEx, compared to educational institutions. Variability in pay often hinges on roles—head athletic trainers in educational settings can expect superior salaries compared to assistants or those on seasonal contracts. For those looking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Benton AR, pursuing additional certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT can open doors to better-paying positions and stipends associated with nighttime or weekend events. Hence, while the median salary might appear modest, strategic career moves can yield enhanced earnings in this market.
More salary data for Benton, 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 $53,225 for athletic trainersin the Benton 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 Benton 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