Athletic Trainer Salary in Lake Elsinore, CA: $80,923 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Lake Elsinore, CA earns a median $80,923/year (≈ $38.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Lake Elsinore's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,550 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Lake Elsinore, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $80,923, significantly higher than the national median of $65,415. This local figure reflects a robust pay range from $60,327 at the 10th percentile to $117,975 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities based on experience and employment settings. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight the area's competitive advantage in this profession. As Lake Elsinore hosts a mix of industries, from education to occupational health, athletic trainers can expect varying compensation based on their specific work environment and contracts, reiterating the importance of understanding market dynamics.
About the Lake Elsinore Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,327 | $29.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,225 | $33.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,923 | $38.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,200 | $45.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,975 | $56.72 |
Median Salary Position
23.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Elsinore
In Lake Elsinore, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,648 (2026 est.). At $80,923, the local median is 23.71% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Elsinore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Elsinore Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Lake Elsinore median: $80,923/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Elsinore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $81,166 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +23.71% more |
Athletic Trainers in Lake Elsinore, CA earn a median of $80,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.71% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 0.30% below the California state average of $81,166.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Elsinore has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Elsinore, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,923 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,550 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,924
2025 BLS Actual
$77,342
2026 Current Est.
$80,923
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Lake Elsinore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,924 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,681 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,899 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,604 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,664 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,182 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,342 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,923 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,670 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Elsinore metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $59,924 (2019) to $77,342 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,670 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,746 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Elsinore 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) | $60,327 – $69,225 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,225 – $80,923 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,923 – $94,200 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,200 – $117,975 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Lake Elsinore
The job market in Lake Elsinore shows promise, with 18 athletic trainers currently employed and a projected annual growth rate of 4.63%. However, the cost of living index at 113.1 suggests that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power must be carefully considered. Among local employers, settings such as industrial health (including companies like Toyota and FedEx) tend to offer higher compensation compared to secondary schools or universities. Factors influencing this pay range include setting dynamics—professional sports roles typically outperform educational institutions—and contractual differences, such as year-round positions versus school-year contracts. To maximize earning potential in Lake Elsinore, aspiring athletic trainers should pursue additional certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT and seek opportunities in higher-paying sectors like industrial health or professional sports, ensuring they negotiate roles that can support weekend or evening stipends as well.
More salary data for Lake Elsinore, 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 $77,342 for athletic trainersin the Lake Elsinore 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 Lake Elsinore 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