Athletic Trainer Salary in San Diego, CA: $77,186 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in San Diego, CA earns a median $77,186/year (≈ $37.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $68,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Athletic trainers in San Diego, CA, can expect a median annual salary of $77,186 in 2026, reflecting a robust job market in the region compared to the national median of $65,415. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, with earnings projected to be between $57,306 at the 10th percentile and $114,382 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicate that those working in high-stakes environments, such as professional sports teams, often fare significantly better than their counterparts in high school settings. The varied compensation also highlights the trade-off between school-year contracts found in educational institutions and the consistent pay seen in year-round industrial positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,306 | $27.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,013 | $30.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,186 | $37.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,617 | $45.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,382 | $54.99 |
Median Salary Position
17.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,076 (2026 est.). At $77,186, the local median is 17.99% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Diego Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
San Diego median: $77,186/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $81,163 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +17.99% more |
Athletic Trainers in San Diego, CA earn a median of $77,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.99% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 4.90% below the California state average of $81,163.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,186 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,986 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,380
2025 BLS Actual
$73,770
2026 Current Est.
$77,186
2019–2027 Growth
+54.2%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,186 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,759 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 40.8% from $52,380 (2019) to $73,770 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,759 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,379 (54.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $57,306 – $64,013 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,013 – $77,186 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,186 – $94,617 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,617 – $114,382 |
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 Diego
With around 200 athletic trainers currently employed in San Diego, the job market remains competitive, despite the cost-of-living index standing at 111.887 — indicative of a slightly higher than average living expense. This translates into a more challenging financial environment for those in the profession. Among various employers, secondary schools tend to offer lower salaries, while colleges, universities, and professional sports teams provide more lucrative opportunities. Variability in pay arises from several factors, such as the distinctions between head and assistant athletic trainers, school-year versus year-round employment, and additional roles that require evening or weekend commitments. To maximize earnings, athletic trainers should consider pursuing specialized certifications that can boost credibility and pay, while also targeting high-demand sectors within the local market to ensure competitive compensation.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 $73,770 for athletic trainersin the San Diego 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