Athletic Trainer Salary in San Clemente, CA: $80,723 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in San Clemente, CA earns a median $80,723/year (≈ $38.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in San Clemente's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,373 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in San Clemente, CA, can expect a competitive median annual salary of $80,723 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $65,415. The projected salary range for this profession varies widely, from $59,774 at the 10th percentile to $117,283 at the 90th percentile, revealing the disparity driven by the diverse settings in which athletic trainers operate. With a localized cost of living adjustment derived from BLS state-level data, these figures reflect San Clemente's unique market conditions. The job market for athletic trainers in this coastal city appears promising, particularly as the demand for both traditional sports-related roles and the industrial sector increases, influencing compensation trends within the region.
About the San Clemente Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,774 | $28.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,890 | $34.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,723 | $38.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,509 | $47.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,283 | $56.39 |
Median Salary Position
23.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Clemente
In San Clemente, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,509 (2026 est.). At $80,723, the local median is 23.4% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Clemente: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Clemente Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
San Clemente median: $80,723/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Clemente Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $81,210 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +23.40% more |
Athletic Trainers in San Clemente, CA earn a median of $80,723 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.40% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 0.60% below the California state average of $81,210.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Clemente has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Clemente, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,723 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,373 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,776
2025 BLS Actual
$77,151
2026 Current Est.
$80,723
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,776 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,528 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,751 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,487 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,982 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,151 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,723 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,461 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Clemente metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $59,776 (2019) to $77,151 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,461 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,685 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Clemente 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) | $59,774 – $71,890 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,890 – $80,723 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,723 – $98,509 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,509 – $117,283 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in San Clemente
In San Clemente, the job market supports approximately 10 athletic trainers, each navigating a cost of living index of 113.1, which is above the national average. This elevated index can impact take-home pay, making it essential for professionals to consider their earnings in relation to local expenses. Employers such as high schools, NCAA institutions, and industrial health sectors, including major players like Toyota and FedEx, present varying salary levels. Generally, positions in professional sports tend to offer the highest pay, followed by industrial roles and then educational settings. The salary spectrum varies due to factors such as employment contracts, the level of responsibility (head vs. assistant roles), compensation for overtime or weekend work, and additional certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT. To maximize their earnings, athletic trainers in San Clemente should focus on pursuing roles in higher-paying sectors and consider expanding their certifications while leveraging the growing demand in both education and industry.
More salary data for San Clemente, 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 $77,151 for athletic trainersin the San Clemente 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 San Clemente 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