Athletic Trainer Salary

Los Angeles vs Vallejo: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$80,450
$38.68/hr
Vallejo, CA
$80,347
$38.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAVallejo, CA
Median Salary$80,450$80,347
Hourly Rate$38.68$38.63
Entry Level (P10)$62,077$61,627
25th Percentile$71,787$68,514
75th Percentile$97,808$96,581
Top Earner (P90)$113,691$115,270
Total Employed56026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($80,450) and Vallejo ($80,347) athletic trainer salaries.Los AngelesVallejoMedian Salary$80,450$80,347Entry Level (P10)$62,077$61,627Top Earner (P90)$113,691$115,270US Median $65,415

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Vallejo is $103 (0.13%). 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 Los Angeles spans $51,614,Vallejo spans $53,643. Vallejo has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$62,077
P25$71,787
Median$80,450
P75$97,808
P90 (Top)$113,691
Vallejo
P10 (Entry)$61,627
P25$68,514
Median$80,347
P75$96,581
P90 (Top)$115,270

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vallejo ($71,041 effective) pays 0.28% more than Los Angeles ($70,840 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $80,450
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $70,840
Vallejo
Nominal: $80,347
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $71,041

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,450/year)
  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Vallejo if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,270)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,041)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Los Angeles grew 36.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -4.7% growth in Vallejo over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+36.1%

$56,490 (2019) → $76,890 (2025)

Vallejo, CA

+-4.7%

$80,605 (2024) → $76,792 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Los Angeles has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $80,450/year, compared to Vallejo at $80,347/year — a difference of $103 (0.13%).

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

Los Angeles athletic trainers earn $38.68/hr while Vallejo hygienists earn $38.63/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Vallejo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $70,840, Vallejo = $71,041), job availability (560 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $62,077 in Los Angeles and $61,627 in Vallejo. 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