Athletic Trainer Salary

El Mirage vs Glendale: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between El Mirage, AZ and Glendale, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

El Mirage, AZ
$62,472
$30.04/hr
Glendale, AZ
$67,664
$32.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEl Mirage, AZGlendale, AZ
Median Salary$62,472$67,664
Hourly Rate$30.04$32.53
Entry Level (P10)$47,246$49,071
25th Percentile$57,502$57,484
75th Percentile$74,671$81,650
Top Earner (P90)$87,597$98,439
Total Employed850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing El Mirage ($62,472) and Glendale ($67,664) athletic trainer salaries.El MirageGlendaleMedian Salary$62,472$67,664Entry Level (P10)$47,246$49,071Top Earner (P90)$87,597$98,439US Median $65,415

Verdict

Glendale, AZ offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to El Mirage.

The salary gap between El Mirage and Glendale is $5,192 (8.31%). Glendale's median is +3.44% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in El Mirage spans $40,351,Glendale spans $49,368. Glendale has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

El Mirage
P10 (Entry)$47,246
P25$57,502
Median$62,472
P75$74,671
P90 (Top)$87,597
Glendale
P10 (Entry)$49,071
P25$57,484
Median$67,664
P75$81,650
P90 (Top)$98,439

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Glendale ($68,694 effective) pays 8.31% more than El Mirage ($63,423 effective).

El Mirage
Nominal: $62,472
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $63,423
Glendale
Nominal: $67,664
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $68,694

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose El Mirage if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Glendale if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,664/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,439)
  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,694)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in El Mirage grew 7.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.8% growth in Glendale over the same period.

El Mirage, AZ

+7.8%

$55,392 (2024) → $59,708 (2025)

Glendale, AZ

+7.8%

$59,995 (2024) → $64,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: El Mirage or Glendale?

Glendale has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $67,664/year, compared to El Mirage at $62,472/year — a difference of $5,192 (8.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between El Mirage and Glendale?

El Mirage athletic trainers earn $30.04/hr while Glendale hygienists earn $32.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from El Mirage to Glendale as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing El Mirage and Glendale. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: El Mirage = $63,423, Glendale = $68,694), job availability (8 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in El Mirage vs Glendale?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $47,246 in El Mirage and $49,071 in Glendale. The Glendale 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