Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Whittier, CA: $39.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Whittier, CA runs $39.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,363 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Whittier's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,424 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Whittier, California, the hourly pay for athletic trainers is projected to be $39.60 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.45. This thriving hourly rate creates competitive opportunities for both part-time workers and per-diem athletic trainers employed in various settings, such as high schools, colleges, and professional sports training facilities. For those working part-time, say three days a week, this rate translates into a comfortable work-life balance without sacrificing income. Additionally, hourly pay ranges from $30.66 for entry-level positions to $55.19 for experienced professionals, reflecting the demand for skilled athletic trainers across different disciplines, including industrial and military settings.
About the Whittier 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) | $30.66 | $245.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.86 | $270.87 |
| Median (P50) | $39.60 | $316.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.95 | $375.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.19 | $441.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Whittier
Based on $39.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.60/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Whittier, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,373 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,523. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Whittier.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Whittier
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,584.10 | $6,864 | $82,373 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $950.46 | $4,119 | $49,424 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $633.64 | $2,746 | $32,949 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Whittier) | $39.60 |
| 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 Whittier, CA earn a median of $82,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.91% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 1.50% above the California state average of $81,145.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.60/hr = $49,424/year (purchasing power: $43,699).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,373/year (purchasing power: $72,832).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Whittier (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Whittier grew 29.1% from $29.33/hr (2019) to $37.85/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.44/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 Whittier 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 Whittier
When examining the practical earning potential, a part-time athletic trainer working 24 hours a week would take home around $49,152 annually, while full-time counterparts can earn considerably more. Per-diem roles also present lucrative opportunities, with pay ranging from $200 to $500 per event for game coverage, and industrial athletic trainers in settings like Toyota or Boeing can expect to bill $50 to $80 per hour. Moreover, hourly rates can diverge based on employer type; for instance, secondary schools might pay less compared to professional sports teams, which often provide higher stipends for specialized events like college bowl games. While some trainers might accept lower hourly wages for the inclusion of health benefits, others may prefer positions without benefits that offer higher pay. It's advisable for athletic trainers to negotiate robustly and be aware of these varying dynamics when considering hourly opportunities within Whittier's athletic training landscape.
More salary data for Whittier, 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 Whittier. 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 Whittier 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