Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Stockton, CA: $40.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Stockton, CA runs $40.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,537 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Stockton's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,116 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With a projected hourly rate of $40.16 in 2026, athletic trainers in Stockton, CA, enjoy a significant advantage over their national counterparts, who earn a median of $31.45 per hour. This favorable pay scale provides ample opportunities for part-time and per-diem roles across various settings, including high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and outpatient clinics. For example, those who work three days a week can find their earnings varying widely based on experience, with entry-level positions starting at about $28.77, while top earners may reach up to $59.21 per hour. These figures are derived from larger annual salary estimates and depict the potential financial landscape for athletic training professionals in the area.
About the Stockton 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) | $28.77 | $230.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.75 | $270.03 |
| Median (P50) | $40.16 | $321.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.02 | $392.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.21 | $473.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Stockton
Based on $40.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.16/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Stockton, CA can expect to earn approximately $83,527 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,188. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Stockton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Stockton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,606.28 | $6,961 | $83,527 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $963.77 | $4,176 | $50,116 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $642.51 | $2,784 | $33,411 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Stockton) | $40.16 |
| 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 Stockton, CA earn a median of $83,537 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.70% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 2.90% above the California state average of $81,182.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.16/hr = $50,116/year (purchasing power: $44,311).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,527/year (purchasing power: $73,852).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Stockton grew 29.1% from $29.74/hr (2019) to $38.38/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.02/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 Stockton 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 Stockton
Evaluating the annual earnings potential for part-time athletic trainers reveals that a professional working 24 hours a week could bring home over $50,000 per year. The per diem model commonly adopted in the field highlights diverse opportunities for additional income; game coverage can yield between $200 to $500 per event, whereas industrial athletic trainers often command rates ranging from $50 to $80 per hour in corporate environments such as those found at Toyota and Boeing. As athletic trainers operate in various sectors—from high schools to outpatient clinics—their hourly compensation can differ widely, with school settings generally offering less than the industrial sector. However, many trainers opt for lower-paying roles in education due to benefits like health insurance, which are often non-existent in higher-paying per diem positions. For those navigating negotiations within Stockton's job market, focusing on total compensation—including benefits—can greatly influence their decision-making in terms of workplace flexibility versus financial reward.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 Stockton. 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 Stockton 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