Athletic Trainer Salary in Laguna Niguel, CA: $78,814 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Laguna Niguel, CA earns a median $78,814/year (≈ $37.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Laguna Niguel's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $69,685 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for athletic trainers in Laguna Niguel, California, is expected to reflect significant growth, with a median annual salary projected at $78,814. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $65,415, representing a 20.48% increase and demonstrating the impact of the master's transition in 2022, which elevated educational requirements and reshaped entry-level compensation. The salary range for the profession in this locality spans from $61,427 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $113,841 for experienced trainers (90th percentile). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight the robust opportunities available in Laguna Niguel's athletic training market.
About the Laguna Niguel Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,427 | $29.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,668 | $33.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,814 | $37.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,596 | $45.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,841 | $54.73 |
Median Salary Position
20.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laguna Niguel
In Laguna Niguel, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,414 (2026 est.). At $78,814, the local median is 20.48% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laguna Niguel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laguna Niguel Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Laguna Niguel median: $78,814/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laguna Niguel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $81,167 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +20.48% more |
Athletic Trainers in Laguna Niguel, CA earn a median of $78,814 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.48% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 2.90% below the California state average of $81,167.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laguna Niguel has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laguna Niguel, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,814 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,685 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,362
2025 BLS Actual
$75,326
2026 Current Est.
$78,814
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Laguna Niguel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,362 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,073 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,868 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,796 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,067 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,326 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,814 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,463 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laguna Niguel metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $58,362 (2019) to $75,326 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,463 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,101 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laguna Niguel 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $61,427 – $69,668 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,668 – $78,814 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,814 – $95,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,596 – $113,841 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Laguna Niguel
Positioned within a community where 16 athletic trainers are employed, the job market offers unique compensation dynamics that reflect the area's cost of living index of 113.1. This index indicates that living expenses are higher than the national average, which can influence take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, collegiate and professional sports organizations tend to provide the highest salaries, often surpassing the pay rates of high school athletic trainers. The variation between low and high salaries can be attributed to factors such as the setting of employment—professional environments generally offer greater compensation compared to educational institutions—as well as the distinctions between full-time and seasonal contracts. To enhance earning potential, trainers in Laguna Niguel may consider pursuing additional certifications, such as the CSCS or OCS-AT, and seeking roles that include stipends for special events to maximize their overall pay.
More salary data for Laguna Niguel, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $75,326 for athletic trainersin the Laguna Niguel metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Laguna Niguel 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