Athletic Trainer Salary

Indio vs Los Angeles: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

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

Indio, CA
$79,695
$38.32/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$80,450
$38.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndio, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$79,695$80,450
Hourly Rate$38.32$38.68
Entry Level (P10)$63,511$62,077
25th Percentile$71,495$71,787
75th Percentile$95,969$97,808
Top Earner (P90)$113,953$113,691
Total Employed23560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indio ($79,695) and Los Angeles ($80,450) athletic trainer salaries.IndioLos AngelesMedian Salary$79,695$80,450Entry Level (P10)$63,511$62,077Top Earner (P90)$113,953$113,691US Median $65,415

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Indio and Los Angeles is $755 (0.95%). Los Angeles's median is +22.98% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indio spans $50,442,Los Angeles spans $51,614. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Indio
P10 (Entry)$63,511
P25$71,495
Median$79,695
P75$95,969
P90 (Top)$113,953
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, Los Angeles ($70,840 effective) pays 0.53% more than Indio ($70,464 effective).

Indio
Nominal: $79,695
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $70,464
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 Indio if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,953)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,450/year)
  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,840)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Indio, CA

+-4.7%

$79,950 (2024) → $76,168 (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: Indio or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $80,450/year, compared to Indio at $79,695/year — a difference of $755 (0.95%).

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

Indio athletic trainers earn $38.32/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $38.68/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indio and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indio = $70,464, Los Angeles = $70,840), job availability (23 vs 560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $63,511 in Indio and $62,077 in Los Angeles. The Indio 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