Athletic Trainer Salary in Santa Maria, CA: $81,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Santa Maria, 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 Maria'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 the evolving landscape of athletic training, the transition to a master's degree requirement in 2022 has significantly influenced compensation trends in Santa Maria, CA. The projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is $81,180, reflecting a notable increase compared to the national median of $65,415. This local estimate reveals a salary range from $63,560 at the tenth percentile to as high as $118,147 for those at the ninety percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional price variations, indicate a robust salary outlook for athletic trainers in this area. The growth rate of 4.63% annually suggests a competitive job market, particularly for those pursuing roles in diverse settings.
About the Santa Maria Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,963 | $34.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,581 | $47.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,147 | $56.80 |
Median Salary Position
24.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Maria
In Santa Maria, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,587 (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 Maria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Maria Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Santa Maria median: $81,180/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Maria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,415 | +24.10% more |
Athletic Trainers in Santa Maria, 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 Maria has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Maria, 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 Maria (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 | $48,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,750 | 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 Maria 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 Maria 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) | $63,560 – $71,963 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,963 – $81,180 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,180 – $98,581 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,581 – $118,147 |
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 Maria
While the employment of only 16 athletic trainers locally may seem limited, it belies the market's potential, especially in light of the area's cost of living index at 113.1. This higher cost translates to a need for competitive salaries to ensure adequate purchasing power. Employers in Santa Maria offering the most lucrative positions typically include collegiate institutions and outpatient clinics, as these settings often accommodate year-round contracts and advanced certifications, which can significantly influence pay. Conversely, high school roles may offer lower compensation, impacted by seasonal contracts and fewer evening or weekend stipends. To maximize earnings in this market, athletic trainers should emphasize obtaining certifications like CSCS or OCS-AT and seek positions in sectors that traditionally offer higher pay, particularly industrial or occupational health settings.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 Maria 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 Maria 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