Athletic Trainer Salary in Richmond, CA: $82,708 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Richmond, CA earns a median $82,708/year (≈ $39.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,128 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Richmond are projected to earn a median annual salary of $82,708, significantly higher than the national median of $65,415. Local salaries range from $60,355 at the 10th percentile to $118,157 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse pay structures in this field. Compensation varies greatly depending on whether you're working in traditional sports environments or industrial settings, with the latter often offering more substantial packages. These numbers are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data along with regional price adjustments, reflecting Richmond's distinct job market, which positions itself uniquely within the greater context of athletic training in California.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,355 | $29.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,236 | $33.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,708 | $39.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,121 | $47.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,157 | $56.80 |
Median Salary Position
26.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,802 (2026 est.). At $82,708, the local median is 26.44% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Richmond median: $82,708/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $81,166 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +26.44% more |
Athletic Trainers in Richmond, CA earn a median of $82,708 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.44% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 1.90% above the California state average of $81,166.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,708 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,128 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,246
2025 BLS Actual
$79,048
2026 Current Est.
$82,708
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,246 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,041 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,073 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,245 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,973 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,048 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,708 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,537 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $61,246 (2019) to $79,048 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,537 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,291 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $60,355 – $70,236 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,236 – $82,708 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,708 – $99,121 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,121 – $118,157 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Richmond
The local job market provides opportunities for around 25 athletic trainers across various employment sectors. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the financial realities affect take-home pay, potentially impacting purchasing power for trainers. Among Richmond's employers, those in professional sports and industrial health, such as Toyota and Boeing, typically pay higher salaries than positions in high schools or colleges. The disparity in pay arises from differences in contract types, responsibilities, and required certifications. For instance, full-time roles in professional leagues often offer salaries that allow for more comprehensive benefits compared to part-time school positions. To maximize athletic trainer pay in Richmond, building expertise in industrial health or pursuing certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $79,048 for athletic trainersin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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