Athletic Trainer Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $80,450 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $80,450/year (≈ $38.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $70,840 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an athletic trainer salary in Los Angeles is projected to reach $80,450, which represents a significant bump compared to the national median of $65,415, reflecting a difference of approximately 22.98%. The pay range for this profession will vary considerably, from $62,077 at the lower end (P10) to $113,691 (P90) for those in the highest earning brackets. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The transition to requiring a master's degree for entry-level positions initiated in 2022 has reshaped compensation trends, especially for those entering the athletic training field. With a dynamic job market in Los Angeles, athletic trainers are well-positioned to capitalize on higher salaries relative to their counterparts in other regions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,077 | $29.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,787 | $34.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,450 | $38.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,808 | $47.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,691 | $54.66 |
Median Salary Position
22.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,614 (2026 est.). At $80,450, the local median is 22.98% above the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $80,450/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $81,181 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +22.98% more |
Athletic Trainers in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $80,450 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.98% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 0.90% below the California state average of $81,181.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,450 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,840 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,490
2025 BLS Actual
$76,890
2026 Current Est.
$80,450
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,450 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,175 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 36.1% from $56,490 (2019) to $76,890 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,175 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,685 (49.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $62,077 – $71,787 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,787 – $80,450 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,450 – $97,808 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,808 – $113,691 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Los Angeles
The job market for athletic trainers in Los Angeles is robust, with approximately 560 professionals employed in the area. However, the cost of living must also be considered, as the area's cost of living index stands at 113.566. This means that despite competitive salaries, take-home pay may experience constraints due to higher expenses. Among various employment settings, positions within professional sports organizations such as the NFL and NBA tend to offer the highest compensation, with secondary education institutions and outpatient clinics following. Factors influencing salary differences include the nature of the employment setting; those working in industrial or occupational health situations often earn significantly more than their peers in academic roles. To maximize athletic trainer pay in Los Angeles CA, candidates should consider obtaining additional certifications, such as CSCS or OCS-AT, and exploring full-time roles over part-time or seasonal contracts, which are less lucrative.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
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Can athletic trainers make $100K in Los Angeles?
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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 $76,890 for athletic trainersin the Los Angeles 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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