California Median
$78,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+26% vs US median
US median $62,520
State Rank
#1 of 50
1,760 employed here
How much does an Athletic Trainer make in California?
Athletic Trainers in California take home a median of $78,490 annually — roughly $37.74 an hour — which runs 26% above the national median of $62,520.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $54,770 while the top 10% make $108,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,600 and $90,180 a year.
Athletic Trainer salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,770 | $26.33 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $67,600 | $32.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,490 | $37.74 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $90,180 | $43.36 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,050 | $51.95 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 50 states and territories for Athletic Trainer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Athletic Trainer salary in other states
Hawaii $76,320New Jersey $76,210District of Columbia $74,450New Mexico $72,440Massachusetts $70,010Connecticut $69,960New York $66,230Utah $65,980Minnesota $65,390Illinois $64,750Georgia $64,590Colorado $64,580Texas $64,150Maryland $63,970Rhode Island $63,750Washington $63,750Wyoming $63,190Vermont $62,910Indiana $62,780Louisiana $62,760Maine $61,970Virginia $61,860Wisconsin $61,820Arizona $61,710Ohio $61,420Florida $61,350Oklahoma $61,320Pennsylvania $61,060Nebraska $61,020North Dakota $60,900Kentucky $60,680Idaho $60,410New Hampshire $60,200Montana $60,090Tennessee $59,850Nevada $59,820Delaware $59,650Michigan $59,280South Carolina $59,240Kansas $59,140Missouri $58,660South Dakota $58,620Mississippi $58,180Oregon $57,790Arkansas $57,240North Carolina $56,540Iowa $55,430West Virginia $50,510Alabama $46,940
Working as an Athletic Trainer in California
Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Athletic Trainers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($78,490) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Athletic Trainer make in California?
The median Athletic Trainer salary in California is $78,490 per year, or about $37.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $54,770 at the entry level to $108,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Athletic Trainers about 26% more than the national median of $62,520. California ranks 1st out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Athletic Trainers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,490 a year. About 1,760 Athletic Trainers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Athletic Trainer salary report
Related salaries
$48,070
median pay · 388,000 employed
$45,130
median pay · 157,000 employed
$80,110
median pay · 230,000 employed
$81,110
median pay · 9,000 employed
$38,150
median pay · 127,000 employed
$68,020
median pay · 38,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.