Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in San Jose, CA: $45.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in San Jose, CA runs $45.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,780 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against San Jose's regional price level (BEA RPP 110.4, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,266 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Jose, athletic trainers earn a median hourly rate of $45.09, significantly higher than the national median of $31.45. This competitive pay reflects the high demand for skilled professionals in various environments, including high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, industrial settings, military bases, and outpatient clinics. For part-time workers, such as those engaged three days a week, this translates to a robust earning potential that can potentially exceed $50,000 annually, depending on hours worked and opportunities for additional events. The hourly pay in this region offers a broad range, from $36.74 for entry-level positions to $63.54 for highly experienced practitioners, indicating a lucrative career path for those who excel in the field based on the 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.74 | $293.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.79 | $318.33 |
| Median (P50) | $45.09 | $360.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.26 | $410.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.54 | $508.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Jose
Based on $45.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.09/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Jose, CA can expect to earn approximately $93,777 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,102. With a cost-of-living index of 110.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Jose.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Jose
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,803.40 | $7,815 | $93,777 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,082.04 | $4,689 | $56,266 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $721.36 | $3,126 | $37,511 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (San Jose) | $45.09 |
| 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 San Jose, CA earn a median of $93,780 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.36% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 15.50% above the California state average of $81,195.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.09/hr = $56,266/year (purchasing power: $50,955).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,777/year (purchasing power: $84,925).
CoL index: 110.423 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+57.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in San Jose grew 43.4% from $30.05/hr (2019) to $43.09/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.17/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 San Jose 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 San Jose
Examining the financial landscape for athletic trainers reveals further nuances in hourly compensation. Those working part-time at 24 hours per week could take home around $55,000 annually, which is notably less than their full-time counterparts, but still provides a sustainable income. For per-diem athletic trainers, game coverage can pay between $200 and $500 per event, while industrial contracts offer hourly rates of $50 to $80, making this a viable option for flexible work arrangements. Hourly rates can vary depending on the employer, with secondary schools typically offering less compared to professional teams or large industrial clients like Toyota and Boeing, which can significantly boost income. Some trainers may accept positions that pay lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, creating trade-offs that necessitate careful consideration. When negotiating, it’s crucial for hourly workers in San Jose to emphasize their specialized skills and certification through organizations like BOC and consider their value based on industry demands.
More salary data for San Jose, 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 San Jose. 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