Athletic Trainer Salary

Chino vs Riverside: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Chino, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chino, CA
$82,074
$39.46/hr
Riverside, CA
$83,652
$40.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChino, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$82,074$83,652
Hourly Rate$39.46$40.22
Entry Level (P10)$62,981$65,708
25th Percentile$71,620$79,864
75th Percentile$96,888$91,384
Top Earner (P90)$113,796$94,418
Total Employed17240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chino ($82,074) and Riverside ($83,652) athletic trainer salaries.ChinoRiversideMedian Salary$82,074$83,652Entry Level (P10)$62,981$65,708Top Earner (P90)$113,796$94,418US Median $65,415

Verdict

Riverside, CA offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Chino.

The salary gap between Chino and Riverside is $1,578 (1.92%). Riverside's median is +27.88% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chino spans $50,815,Riverside spans $28,710. Chino has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chino
P10 (Entry)$62,981
P25$71,620
Median$82,074
P75$96,888
P90 (Top)$113,796
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$65,708
P25$79,864
Median$83,652
P75$91,384
P90 (Top)$94,418

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($78,589 effective) pays 8.30% more than Chino ($72,568 effective).

Chino
Nominal: $82,074
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $72,568
Riverside
Nominal: $83,652
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $78,589

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chino if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,796)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,652/year)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,589)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Chino grew -4.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.6% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Chino, CA

+-4.7%

$82,336 (2024) → $78,442 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+38.6%

$57,670 (2019) → $79,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Chino or Riverside?

Riverside has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $83,652/year, compared to Chino at $82,074/year — a difference of $1,578 (1.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chino and Riverside?

Chino athletic trainers earn $39.46/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $40.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chino to Riverside as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chino and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chino = $72,568, Riverside = $78,589), job availability (17 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Chino vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $62,981 in Chino and $65,708 in Riverside. The Riverside area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gomez, MS, ATCData verified by David Kim, BS, ATC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov