Athletic Trainer Salary in San Jose, CA: $93,780 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in San Jose, CA earns a median $93,780/year (≈ $45.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in San Jose's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 110.4), that paycheck buys what $84,928 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.5% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Jose, California, the landscape of athletic trainer compensation has evolved significantly since the shift to a master’s degree requirement took effect in 2022. As of 2026, athletic trainers in the region can expect a median annual salary of $93,780, notably higher than the national median of $65,415. Salary ranges in this area reflect this growth, with figures spanning from $76,411 at the 10th percentile to $132,169 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This trend highlights the city’s strong demand for skilled professionals in athletic training, driven by a blend of traditional sports and emerging industrial health environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,411 | $36.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,773 | $39.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,780 | $45.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,608 | $51.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,169 | $63.54 |
Median Salary Position
43.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Jose
In San Jose, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,758 (2026 est.). At $93,780, the local median is 43.36% above the national median of $65,415.
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At 40 hours/week in San Jose: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Jose Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
San Jose median: $93,780/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Jose Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $81,195 | +15.50% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +43.36% more |
Athletic Trainers in San Jose, CA earn a median of $93,780 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.36% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 15.50% above the California state average of $81,195.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Jose has a cost of living 10.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.423 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $93,780 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $84,928 — a 9.44% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,510
2025 BLS Actual
$89,630
2026 Current Est.
$93,780
2019–2027 Growth
+57.0%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,780 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,122 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Jose metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 43.4% from $62,510 (2019) to $89,630 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,122 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,612 (56.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose 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) | $76,411 – $82,773 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,773 – $93,780 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,780 – $106,608 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,608 – $132,169 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in San Jose
The local job market reflects a robust demand, with approximately 120 athletic trainers currently employed in San Jose. However, living costs also factor in, as the cost of living index stands at 110.423, translating to reduced purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers that tend to offer the highest athletic trainer pay in San Jose CA include professional sports teams and NCAA institutions, with industrial sectors frequently providing compensation that can exceed traditional sports roles by 30-50%. The variance in salaries is influenced by various factors, including the type of setting, level of responsibility, and additional certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT. To maximize earnings, athletic trainers should consider pursuing roles in industrial or occupational health, as well as seeking positions with greater responsibilities, such as head athletic trainer roles, which command higher salaries and additional stipends for event coverage outside regular hours.
More salary data for San Jose, 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 $89,630 for athletic trainersin the San Jose 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