Athletic Trainer Salary in Sacramento, CA: $81,172 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Sacramento, CA earns a median $81,172/year (≈ $39.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $76,096 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, CA, the 2026 median annual salary for athletic trainers is projected to be $81,172, significantly outpacing the national median of $65,415 by 24.09%. The salary range varies considerably, with the lowest 10% earning around $59,943 and the highest 90% reaching up to $111,169. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates a noteworthy distinction in pay structures influenced by the training setting. Athletic trainers in Sacramento have opportunities across multiple sectors, suggesting that job prospects within industrial and occupational settings may provide lucrative options when compared to traditional roles in educational institutions and professional sports organizations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,943 | $28.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,984 | $32.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,172 | $39.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,971 | $43.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,169 | $53.45 |
Median Salary Position
24.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,226 (2026 est.). At $81,172, the local median is 24.09% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sacramento Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $81,172/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,415 | +24.09% more |
Athletic Trainers in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $81,172 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.09% higher than the national median of $65,415.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,172 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,096 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,580
2025 BLS Actual
$77,580
2026 Current Est.
$81,172
2019–2027 Growth
+50.1%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,172 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,930 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 37.1% from $56,580 (2019) to $77,580 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,930 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,350 (50.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $59,943 – $66,984 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,984 – $81,172 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,172 – $89,971 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,971 – $111,169 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Sacramento
The local job market shows a stable employment level, with approximately 60 athletic trainers currently working in Sacramento. However, the cost of living index at 106.67 indicates that while salaries are competitive, they must also account for a higher-than-average living expense. Among the various employers, collegiate athletics and professional teams tend to offer the most generous compensation packages, especially when contrasted with roles in high schools or outpatient clinics. The pay disparity often stems from factors such as job setting, contract duration, and additional responsibilities, including stipends for events outside normal hours. To maximize pay in Sacramento, athletic trainers should consider seeking certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT, pursuing positions with extensive responsibilities, and targeting industrial roles which can often yield higher salaries.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $77,580 for athletic trainersin the Sacramento 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