Athletic Trainer Salary in Santa Ana, CA: $86,005 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Santa Ana, CA earns a median $86,005/year (≈ $41.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Santa Ana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,043 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Santa Ana, CA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $86,005, significantly surpassing the national median of $65,415 by approximately 31.48%. Salaries in this field range from $61,250 at the lower end (P10) to $126,293 for those at the top (P90), reflecting a diverse array of opportunities available to professionals. This data, derived from 2025 BLS figures and adjusted for regional costs, signals a robust job market for athletic trainers, particularly following the shift to a master’s degree requirement in 2022. This educational shift effectively redefined entry-level compensation and could attract more qualified candidates to the field in Santa Ana.
About the Santa Ana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,250 | $29.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,008 | $34.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,005 | $41.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,671 | $50.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,293 | $60.72 |
Median Salary Position
31.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Ana
In Santa Ana, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,043 (2026 est.). At $86,005, the local median is 31.48% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Ana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Ana Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Santa Ana median: $86,005/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Ana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $81,137 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +31.48% more |
Athletic Trainers in Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $86,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.48% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 6.00% above the California state average of $81,137.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Ana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Ana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,005 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,043 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$63,687
2025 BLS Actual
$82,199
2026 Current Est.
$86,005
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,687 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,554 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,661 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,787 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,164 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,199 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,005 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,987 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Ana metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $63,687 (2019) to $82,199 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,987 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,300 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Ana 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) | $61,250 – $72,008 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,008 – $86,005 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,005 – $104,671 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,671 – $126,293 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Santa Ana
The local job market for athletic trainers is promising, with 69 professionals currently employed in Santa Ana. However, the higher cost of living in this area, represented by a cost-of-living index of 113.1, influences the purchasing power of these salaries. Among the various employers, positions in professional sports or collegiate athletics typically offer the highest compensation, while roles in secondary schools may yield lower pay. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as the nature of the contract—year-round versus school-year—as well as additional duties related to evening or weekend events. To maximize earning potential in Santa Ana’s athletic training landscape, professionals should consider advancing their certifications, targeting higher-paying sectors, and actively seeking head positions over assistant roles, ensuring they remain competitive in a growing field.
More salary data for Santa Ana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Santa Ana, CA in 2026?
Is Santa Ana, CA a good place to work as a athletic trainer?
Can athletic trainers make $100K in Santa Ana?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted athletic trainer salary in Santa Ana?
How much does a athletic trainer make per hour in Santa Ana?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $82,199 for athletic trainersin the Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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