Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Redwood City, CA: $38.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Redwood City, CA runs $38.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,400 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Redwood City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,635 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Redwood City, the athletic trainer hourly pay stands at $38.17, which significantly exceeds the national median of $31.45. This higher rate reflects the cost of living in the area, which is above the national average. For part-time athletic trainers working three days a week, this rate translates into a compelling opportunity to earn a steady income while balancing other responsibilities. Many athletic trainers find employment in varied environments—from high school training rooms and college athletic facilities to professional sports settings and outpatient clinics. The hourly pay range in Redwood City ranges from $30.31 for entry-level positions to $54.18 for the top earners, making it a competitive market for professionals entering this field.
About the Redwood City 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) | $30.31 | $242.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.24 | $265.93 |
| Median (P50) | $38.17 | $305.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.82 | $366.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.18 | $433.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Redwood City
Based on $38.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.17/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Redwood City, CA can expect to earn approximately $79,392 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,803. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Redwood City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Redwood City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,526.76 | $6,616 | $79,392 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $916.06 | $3,970 | $47,635 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $610.70 | $2,646 | $31,757 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Redwood City) | $38.17 |
| 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 Redwood City, CA earn a median of $79,400 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.38% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 2.20% below the California state average of $81,186.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.17/hr = $47,635/year (purchasing power: $42,118).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,392/year (purchasing power: $70,196).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Redwood City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Redwood City grew 29.1% from $28.26/hr (2019) to $36.48/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.94/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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City
Part-time athletic trainers working 24 hours per week can expect annual earnings that significantly differ from their full-time counterparts. While full-time athletic trainers benefit from comprehensive salary packages, part-time roles may yield up to $48,000 annually when working three days a week at the median hourly pay. Per diem athletic trainer pay in Redwood City can also vary widely, with game coverage for high school or collegiate sports often netting between $200 and $500 per event, while industrial contractors typically bill $50 to $80 per hour. Employers, such as secondary schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and industrial settings, offer different hourly compensations; institutional roles in educational settings might provide lower hourly rates compared to lucrative positions in occupational health. Some trainers may accept reduced pay for the benefits associated with full-time roles, while others gravitate toward higher hourly rates with less stability. Negotiating effectively based on current local trends and employer offerings can help athletic trainers maximize their earnings potential in Redwood City.
More salary data for Redwood City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Redwood City in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Redwood City?
Are athletic trainers in Redwood City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Redwood City?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in Redwood City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Redwood City. 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 Redwood City 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