Athletic Trainer Salary in Redwood City, CA: $79,400 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Redwood City, CA earns a median $79,400/year (≈ $38.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Redwood City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $70,203 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 median annual salary for athletic trainers in Redwood City, California, is projected to reach $79,400, placing it significantly above the national median of $65,415, indicating a robust local market for this profession. With a salary range spanning from $63,053 at the 10th percentile to $112,692 at the 90th percentile, athletic trainers here can expect varying compensation depending on their role and work environment. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, reflect the ongoing demand for qualified athletic trainers, especially following the transition to mandatory master's degrees initiated in 2022. As the landscape of athletic training continues to evolve, Redwood City stands out as a promising locale for prospective trainers looking to advance their careers.
About the Redwood City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,053 | $30.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,142 | $33.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,400 | $38.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,294 | $45.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,692 | $54.18 |
Median Salary Position
21.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redwood City
In Redwood City, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,639 (2026 est.). At $79,400, the local median is 21.38% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Redwood City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Redwood City Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Redwood City median: $79,400/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redwood City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $81,186 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +21.38% more |
Athletic Trainers in Redwood City, CA earn a median of $79,400 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.38% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 2.20% below the California state average of $81,186.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redwood City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redwood City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,400 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,203 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,796
2025 BLS Actual
$75,886
2026 Current Est.
$79,400
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Redwood City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,796 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,519 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,772 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,653 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,886 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,400 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,076 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redwood City metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $58,796 (2019) to $75,886 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,076 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,280 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redwood City 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) | $63,053 – $69,142 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,142 – $79,400 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,400 – $95,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,294 – $112,692 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Redwood City
In Redwood City, there are currently 13 athletic trainers actively employed, underscoring a niche yet stable job market. The area's cost of living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power must be carefully considered by professionals in the field. Among the various employers, athletic trainers working in professional sports settings generally receive the highest pay, with collegiate and high school positions typically offering lower compensation. Factors contributing to the disparity in salaries include the type of employment, the nature of contracts—such as year-round positions versus school-year roles—and additional responsibilities like evening or weekend stipends. To maximize pay in this specific market, it is beneficial for athletic trainers to pursue certifications such as CSCS or OCS-AT while exploring various employment avenues, particularly in industrial occupational settings where compensation can be significantly higher than traditional sports roles.
More salary data for Redwood City, 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 $75,886 for athletic trainersin the Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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