Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Santa Ana, CA: $41.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Santa Ana, CA runs $41.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,005 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Santa Ana's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,605 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Ana, the athletic trainer hourly pay stands at $41.35, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $31.45. This rate reflects the city’s competitive environment for athletic trainers, where part-time positions, typically filled by professionals working three days a week, can still yield a respectable income. For those engaged in per diem work, opportunities abound across various settings such as high school training rooms, college facilities, professional team locations, military bases, industrial workplaces, and outpatient clinics. Hourly wages in this field range from $29.44 at the lower spectrum to $60.72 for top earners, illustrating the diverse paths one can take in the profession given different levels of experience and specialization. Such findings indicate that athletic trainers in Santa Ana not only enjoy higher wages compared to the national average, but also have various options to tailor their work schedules based on personal and professional priorities.
About the Santa Ana 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) | $29.44 | $235.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.62 | $276.98 |
| Median (P50) | $41.35 | $330.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.33 | $402.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.72 | $485.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Ana
Based on $41.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.35/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Ana, CA can expect to earn approximately $86,008 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,620. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Ana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Ana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,653.99 | $7,167 | $86,008 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $992.39 | $4,300 | $51,605 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $661.60 | $2,867 | $34,403 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Santa Ana) | $41.35 |
| 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 Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $86,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.48% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 6.00% above the California state average of $81,137.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.35/hr = $51,605/year (purchasing power: $45,627).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,008/year (purchasing power: $76,046).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Santa Ana grew 29.1% from $30.62/hr (2019) to $39.52/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.26/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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana
When considering a part-time athletic trainer role in Santa Ana, professionals working three days a week can expect to earn around $51,500 annually, markedly lower than full-time earners who might bring in nearly double that figure. For those in the per diem sector, game coverage typically pays between $200 and $500 per event, which can lead to lucrative opportunities for trainers who are willing to work flexible schedules. However, industrial athletic trainers, particularly at major employers like Toyota or Boeing, might see pay rates ranging from $50 to $80 per hour, often reflecting the critical nature of health in a manufacturing environment. Hourly rates can fluctuate dramatically based on the employer type; while high schools tend to offer the lower end of the scale, collegiate or professional levels often provide more substantial compensation. Some trainers may choose positions that offer lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, impacting their overall earnings. Negotiating hourly contracts in a city like Santa Ana involves understanding local market rates and being prepared to discuss the unique value one brings to potential employers.
More salary data for Santa Ana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana 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