Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $41.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Bakersfield, CA runs $41.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,918 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,153 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bakersfield, California, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $41.79, significantly higher than the national average of $31.45. This hourly rate creates attractive opportunities for part-time work, allowing trainers to work three days a week. For instance, a part-time athletic trainer logging 24 hours weekly could expect to take home approximately $49,167 each year. The hourly pay ranges from $30.32 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $60.81 for top earners (90th percentile). Athletic trainers in Bakersfield typically find employment in a variety of settings, including high schools, college athletic facilities, and military bases, where they can leverage their skills and education, especially with the requirement of a master’s degree as of 2022.
About the Bakersfield Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.32 | $242.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.51 | $284.09 |
| Median (P50) | $41.79 | $334.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.44 | $403.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.81 | $486.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $41.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.79/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $86,922 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,147. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,671.57 | $7,243 | $86,922 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,002.94 | $4,346 | $52,153 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $668.63 | $2,897 | $34,769 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Bakersfield) | $41.79 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Athletic Trainers in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $86,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.87% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 7.10% above the California state average of $81,156.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.79/hr = $52,153/year (purchasing power: $46,112).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,922/year (purchasing power: $76,854).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Bakersfield grew 38.0% from $28.94/hr (2019) to $39.94/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.72/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem athletic trainers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Athletic Trainer in Bakersfield
Part-time athletic trainers working 24 hours a week can face a stark contrast in earning potential compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem arrangements are another reality for trainers in Bakersfield; game coverage often yields between $200 and $500 per event, while industrial athletic trainers may bill large clients $50 to $80 hourly. The variation in hourly rates across various employers, such as high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and outpatient clinics, reflects different budgeting capacities and the nature of athletic responsibilities. Some trainers may choose lower hourly wages if the position includes benefits like health insurance, while others may prefer higher pay rates without benefits. Furthermore, when negotiating pay, trainers should be aware of the local market, seek comparable roles, and leverage their credentials from NATA and BOC for better compensation discussions.
More salary data for Bakersfield, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for athletic trainers in Bakersfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bakersfield is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for athletic trainers (SOC 29-9091).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov