Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Poway, CA: $38.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Poway, CA runs $38.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,892 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Poway's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,935 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Poway, California, the median hourly pay for an athletic trainer is projected at $38.41 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.45. This competitive hourly rate reflects not only the demand for skilled professionals in various settings—including high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional team training rooms—but also the area’s relatively high cost of living. Entry-level athletic trainers can expect to earn around $30.01 an hour, while more experienced trainers may earn up to $51.26 per hour. These figures highlight the range of experiences within the community, catering to both part-time workers seeking flexible schedules and those considering per-diem arrangements that offer competitive compensation based on event coverage or specific contracts.
About the Poway 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) | $30.01 | $240.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.21 | $281.66 |
| Median (P50) | $38.41 | $307.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.33 | $354.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.26 | $410.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Poway
Based on $38.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.41/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Poway, CA can expect to earn approximately $79,892 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,092. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Poway.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Poway
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,536.39 | $6,658 | $79,892 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $921.83 | $3,995 | $47,935 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $614.55 | $2,663 | $31,957 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Poway) | $38.41 |
| 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 Poway, CA earn a median of $79,892 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.13% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 1.60% below the California state average of $81,191.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.41/hr = $47,935/year (purchasing power: $42,383).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,892/year (purchasing power: $70,638).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Poway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Poway grew 29.1% from $28.44/hr (2019) to $36.71/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.19/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 Poway 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 Poway
When examining the practical earnings of athletic trainers, a part-time schedule working three days a week would translate to about $29,785 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts making nearly double. For per diem athletic trainer pay in Poway, event coverage can yield between $200 and $500 per occurrence, making it potentially lucrative for those chasing varied experiences outside conventional roles. Annual earnings differ greatly across the types of employers, as secondary school positions often provide lower pay compared to college or professional sports teams, with industrial settings known to offer hourly rates of $50 to $80. Athletic trainers must weigh the benefits of job stability and health insurance against higher hourly rates available with limited or no employee benefits. Those negotiating pay in Poway should stress their unique qualifications and market demand for athletic trainers, especially as the field increasingly requires a master’s degree following the 2022 transition mandated by CAATE and other accrediting organizations.
More salary data for Poway, 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 Poway. 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 Poway 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