Athletic Trainer salary in California
Athletic Trainers in California earn a median of $78,490 a year, based on BLS data for 1,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,050 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $62,520. California ranks 1st of 50 states for athletic trainers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.10 athletic trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $80,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for athletic trainers in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,770 |
| 25th percentile | $67,600 |
| Median | $78,490 |
| 75th percentile | $90,180 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,050 |
| Average (mean) | $80,780 |
Half of athletic trainers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,540.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,270.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,018.85 |
| Weekly | $1,509.42 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because athletic trainers are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Athletic Trainer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $89,630 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $79,950 | 240 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $77,840 | 250 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,580 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $76,890 | 560 |
| Fresno, CA | $74,650 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $73,770 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for athletic trainers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $78,490 |
| Hawaii | $76,320 |
| New Jersey | $76,210 |
| District of Columbia | $74,450 |
| New Mexico | $72,440 |
| Massachusetts | $70,010 |
| Connecticut | $69,960 |
| New York | $66,230 |
| Utah | $65,980 |
| Minnesota | $65,390 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $90,750 | $43.63 |
| Surgical Assistant | $62,540 | $30.07 |
| Genetic Counselor | $137,650 | $66.18 |
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a athletic trainer make in California?
The median salary for athletic trainers in California is $78,490 a year. Pay ranges from $54,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid athletic trainers make in California?
The top 10% of athletic trainers in California earn at least $108,050 a year. The top 25% earn $90,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for athletic trainers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,770 a year, and a quarter of athletic trainers earn $67,600 or less.
How many athletic trainers work in California?
About 1,760 athletic trainers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.