Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Riverside, CA: $40.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Riverside, CA runs $40.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,652 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Riverside's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.4, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,194 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, athletic trainers are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $40.22 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median hourly rate of $31.45. This difference illustrates the favorable earning potential for athletic trainers working in various environments, including high schools, colleges, professional sports organizations, and industrial settings. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the hourly rate can translate into a steady income, particularly valuable for per-diem positions often found in sports medicine where trainers might work events or cover specific shifts. The hourly range for these professionals spans from $31.59 at the entry level to $45.39 for top earners, reflecting a robust market for athletic trainers in Riverside as they navigate between traditional sports roles and industrial health settings.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.59 | $252.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.40 | $307.19 |
| Median (P50) | $40.22 | $321.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.93 | $351.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.39 | $363.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Riverside
Based on $40.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.22/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Riverside, CA can expect to earn approximately $83,657 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,264. With a cost-of-living index of 106.44 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Riverside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Riverside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,608.79 | $6,971 | $83,657 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $965.27 | $4,183 | $50,194 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $643.52 | $2,789 | $33,463 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Riverside) | $40.22 |
| 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 Riverside, CA earn a median of $83,652 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.88% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 3.10% above the California state average of $81,136.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.22/hr = $50,194/year (purchasing power: $47,156).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,657/year (purchasing power: $78,594).
CoL index: 106.442 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Riverside grew 38.6% from $27.73/hr (2019) to $38.44/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.08/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 Riverside 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 Riverside
Part-time athletic trainers in Riverside, working 24 hours a week, can still see significant annual earnings, cumulatively making around $49,940 compared to full-time trainers who would bring home considerably more. For those engaged in per diem work, the pay can be lucrative, with event coverage typically paying between $200 and $500 per occurrence, while industrial contracts can reach hourly rates from $50 to $80. The rates fluctuate based on the employer, where roles at secondary schools may offer lower compensation compared to NCAA divisions or professional teams, which often pay a premium for specialized skills. While some athletic trainers might accept lower hourly rates for the benefits of full-time employment, others prefer the flexibility and higher pay associated with per diem positions, especially in high-stakes event coverage. In Riverside, negotiation strategies become crucial; professionals should highlight their unique qualifications, particularly post-2022 master's degree requirements, to secure competitive rates, especially in thriving sectors like occupational health or professional athletics.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Riverside in 2026?
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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 Riverside. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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