Athletic Trainer Salary

Gilroy vs Los Angeles: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Gilroy, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gilroy, CA
$81,205
$39.04/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$80,450
$38.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGilroy, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$81,205$80,450
Hourly Rate$39.04$38.68
Entry Level (P10)$60,994$62,077
25th Percentile$69,810$71,787
75th Percentile$94,748$97,808
Top Earner (P90)$119,166$113,691
Total Employed10560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gilroy ($81,205) and Los Angeles ($80,450) athletic trainer salaries.GilroyLos AngelesMedian Salary$81,205$80,450Entry Level (P10)$60,994$62,077Top Earner (P90)$119,166$113,691US Median $65,415

Verdict

Gilroy, CA offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Gilroy and Los Angeles is $755 (0.94%). Gilroy's median is +24.14% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gilroy spans $58,172,Los Angeles spans $51,614. Gilroy has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gilroy
P10 (Entry)$60,994
P25$69,810
Median$81,205
P75$94,748
P90 (Top)$119,166
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$62,077
P25$71,787
Median$80,450
P75$97,808
P90 (Top)$113,691

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gilroy ($71,799 effective) pays 1.35% more than Los Angeles ($70,840 effective).

Gilroy
Nominal: $81,205
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $71,799
Los Angeles
Nominal: $80,450
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $70,840

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gilroy if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,205/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,166)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,799)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Gilroy grew -4.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.1% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Gilroy, CA

+-4.7%

$81,466 (2024) → $77,612 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+36.1%

$56,490 (2019) → $76,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Gilroy or Los Angeles?

Gilroy has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $81,205/year, compared to Los Angeles at $80,450/year — a difference of $755 (0.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gilroy and Los Angeles?

Gilroy athletic trainers earn $39.04/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $38.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gilroy to Los Angeles as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gilroy and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gilroy = $71,799, Los Angeles = $70,840), job availability (10 vs 560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Gilroy vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $60,994 in Gilroy and $62,077 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles 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