Athletic Trainer Salary

Perris vs Riverside: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

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

Perris, CA
$79,347
$38.15/hr
Riverside, CA
$83,652
$40.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPerris, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$79,347$83,652
Hourly Rate$38.15$40.22
Entry Level (P10)$62,686$65,708
25th Percentile$70,772$79,864
75th Percentile$96,876$91,384
Top Earner (P90)$112,770$94,418
Total Employed12240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Perris ($79,347) and Riverside ($83,652) athletic trainer salaries.PerrisRiversideMedian Salary$79,347$83,652Entry Level (P10)$62,686$65,708Top Earner (P90)$112,770$94,418US Median $65,415

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Perris and Riverside is $4,305 (5.43%). 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 Perris spans $50,084,Riverside spans $28,710. Perris has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Perris
P10 (Entry)$62,686
P25$70,772
Median$79,347
P75$96,876
P90 (Top)$112,770
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 12.02% more than Perris ($70,156 effective).

Perris
Nominal: $79,347
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $70,156
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 Perris if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,770)
  • 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 Perris grew -4.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.6% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Perris, CA

+-4.7%

$79,602 (2024) → $75,836 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+38.6%

$57,670 (2019) → $79,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Perris or Riverside?

Riverside has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $83,652/year, compared to Perris at $79,347/year — a difference of $4,305 (5.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Perris and Riverside?

Perris athletic trainers earn $38.15/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $40.22/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Perris and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Perris = $70,156, Riverside = $78,589), job availability (12 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $62,686 in Perris 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