Athletic Trainer salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Athletic Trainers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $73,770 a year, based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,320 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $62,520. Pay here is 6% lower than the California statewide median of $78,490. There are 0.13 athletic trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $76,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for athletic trainers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,770 |
| 25th percentile | $61,180 |
| Median | $73,770 |
| 75th percentile | $90,430 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,320 |
| Average (mean) | $76,930 |
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 | $6,147.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,073.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,837.31 |
| Weekly | $1,418.65 |
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.
Buying a home? On a $73,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Athletic Trainer salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
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 |
See Athletic Trainer pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $85,350 | $41.04 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| Registered Nurse | $139,520 | $67.08 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,720 | $38.33 |
| Physicians, All Other | $323,050 | $155.31 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Pharmacist | $165,130 | $79.39 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Physical Therapist | $113,850 | $54.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $163,860 | $78.78 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Dental Hygienist | $123,790 | $59.52 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $113,480 | $54.56 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,620 | $20.97 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for athletic trainers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $73,770 a year. Pay ranges from $54,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid athletic trainers make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of athletic trainers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $109,320 a year. The top 25% earn $90,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for athletic trainers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,770 a year, and a quarter of athletic trainers earn $61,180 or less.
How many athletic trainers work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 200 athletic trainers are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.