Athletic Trainer Salary in Santa Cruz, CA: $81,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Santa Cruz, CA earns a median $81,180/year (≈ $39.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Santa Cruz's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,777 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals embracing the role of athletic trainers in Santa Cruz are projected to earn a median annual salary of $81,180, reflecting a robust local market that exceeds the national median of $65,415 by approximately 24.10%. Salaries for athletic trainers in this area span a range from $65,059 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $119,077 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse salary landscape influenced by experience, setting, and responsibilities. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, showcasing the evolving nature of the profession. As the field transitioned to requiring a master’s degree in 2022, the increased educational standard is reshaping both entry-level salaries and overall compensation for athletic trainers in Santa Cruz, CA, aligning them more closely with healthcare professionals.
About the Santa Cruz Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,059 | $31.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,851 | $35.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,688 | $45.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,077 | $57.25 |
Median Salary Position
24.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,018 (2026 est.). At $81,180, the local median is 24.1% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Cruz: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Cruz Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Santa Cruz median: $81,180/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Cruz Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,415 | +24.10% more |
Athletic Trainers in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $81,180 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.10% higher than the national median of $65,415.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Cruz has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,180 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,777 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,115
2025 BLS Actual
$77,588
2026 Current Est.
$81,180
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,115 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,877 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,816 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,892 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,588 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,939 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $60,115 (2019) to $77,588 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,939 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,824 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz 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) | $65,059 – $72,851 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,851 – $81,180 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,180 – $94,688 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,688 – $119,077 |
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 Cruz
The local job market is relatively small, with only 12 athletic trainers currently employed in the Santa Cruz area. This limited number may contribute to competitive salary offerings, especially when considering the area's higher-than-average cost of living index of 113.1, which affects purchasing power for residents. Among various employment settings, those working within professional sports organizations typically command higher salaries compared to their peers in high school athletic training or outpatient clinics. Salary disparities can arise from factors such as the type of setting—industrial health roles often pay considerably more than school-based roles—and the nature of the contracts offered, whether they are for the school year or year-round positions. Certifications beyond the standard BOC credential, like CSCS or OCS-AT, can also enhance earning potential. For those seeking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Santa Cruz, pursuing opportunities in professional sports or industrial settings, while adding relevant certifications, may prove advantageous.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, 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 $77,588 for athletic trainersin the Santa Cruz 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 Cruz 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