Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Santa Clara, CA: $45.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Santa Clara, CA runs $45.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,351 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Santa Clara's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,206 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer hourly pay in Santa Clara is projected to reach a notable $45.84 per hour, significantly surpassing the national median of $31.45 per hour. This higher rate reflects the various roles and settings in which athletic trainers operate, ranging from high school training rooms to college athletic facilities, professional sports teams, and industrial workplace clinics. For part-time work typical within this profession, such as a three-day-a-week schedule, trainers can expect to earn approximately $3,691 monthly at this median hourly rate, while entry-level positions start around $34.20 and can soar to $64.53 for experienced professionals. Such variability allows trainers not only to optimize their earning potential but also to choose roles that suit their lifestyle, whether they are pursuing part-time opportunities or per-diem work in fast-paced environments.
About the Santa Clara 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) | $34.20 | $273.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.09 | $328.71 |
| Median (P50) | $45.84 | $366.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.37 | $434.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.53 | $516.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Clara
Based on $45.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.84/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Clara, CA can expect to earn approximately $95,344 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,006. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Clara.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Clara
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,833.54 | $7,945 | $95,344 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,100.12 | $4,767 | $57,206 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $733.41 | $3,178 | $38,138 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Santa Clara) | $45.84 |
| 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 Clara, CA earn a median of $95,351 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.76% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 17.50% above the California state average of $81,150.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.84/hr = $57,206/year (purchasing power: $50,580).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,344/year (purchasing power: $84,301).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Santa Clara (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Santa Clara grew 29.1% from $33.94/hr (2019) to $43.81/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.96/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 Clara 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 Clara
Athletic trainers in Santa Clara who work part-time, specifically three days a week, could earn around $47,716 annually, which is a comfortable income, albeit lower than full-time earners. For those engaged in per-diem or agency work, the situation is often more lucrative; per diem athletic trainer pay in Santa Clara can fluctuate, with coverage for events typically rewarding trainers anywhere from $200 to $500 per event. In contrast, occupational roles in industrial settings often bill $50 to $80 per hour, appealing to many trainers seeking higher hourly rates. The hourly rates can vary widely depending on employment type; high school positions tend to pay less compared to college and professional teams, which typically offer higher compensation but less job security. Moreover, trainers may face the decision of opting for higher hourly rates without benefits or more stable employment with health insurance at lower rates. When negotiating pay in Santa Clara, trainers should emphasize their credentials—after the 2022 master's transition—and consider the unique demands of the local job market and facility expectations.
More salary data for Santa Clara, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Santa Clara in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Santa Clara?
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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 Clara. 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 Clara 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