Salary distribution
Where California athletic trainers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $62,980 and $81,590, with a median of $74,150.
Athletic Trainers in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $80,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $95,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $70,783 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $416,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Athletic Trainers in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Sports, Inc. | Head of Athletic Performance and Science | 1 | $69,347 |
| Centurion Lifestyle LLC | Lifestyle and Fitness Specialist | 1 | $72,219 |
| WFC LA, Inc. | Sports Scientist | 1 | $110,000 |
| Soccer Womens Team Co LLC | Sports Scientist | 1 | $80,000 |
| Cleveland Browns Football Company LLC | Sport Scientist | 1 | $416,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Head of Athletic Performance and Science at Pacific Sports, Inc.$69,347NapaWage Level IIIDecided Jun 23, 2025I-200-25164-092817
- Lifestyle and Fitness Specialist at Centurion Lifestyle LLC$72,219West HollywoodWage Level IIIDecided May 12, 2025I-200-25125-936552
- Sports Scientist at WFC LA, Inc.$110,000Santa MonicaWage Level IIDecided Apr 4, 2025I-203-25087-812234
- Sports Scientist at Soccer Womens Team Co LLC$80,000Del MarWage Level IIDecided Feb 24, 2025I-203-25045-695182
- Sport Scientist at Cleveland Browns Football Company LLC$416,000San FranciscoWage Level IVDecided Feb 13, 2025I-203-25037-671612
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Athletic Trainers pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Athletic Trainers in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 5 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Media and entertainment leads with a median of $95,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media and entertainment | Pacific Sports, Inc. | 4 | $95,000 |
| Real estate | Centurion Lifestyle LLC | 1 | $72,219 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Monitoring
Cross-functional
- 3.9 / 5
Judgment and Decision Making
Technical
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
- 02
Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.
- 03
Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.
- 04
Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.
- 05
Perform general administrative tasks, such as keeping records or writing reports.
- 06
Clean and sanitize athletic training rooms.
- 07
Instruct coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel, or community members in the care and prevention of athletic injuries.
- 08
Apply protective or injury preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, or braces, to body parts, such as ankles, fingers, or wrists.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+10.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for athletic trainers in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Francisco$78,400
- San Jose$78,210
- Riverside$77,150
- Los Angeles$70,080
- Sacramento$69,220
- San Diego$64,590
Compare Athletic Trainers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Athletic Trainers in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Athletic Trainers in California is $74,150.
- How does California compare to the national median for Athletic Trainers?
- The California median is +21.7% versus the BLS national figure of $60,926.
- What is the salary range for Athletic Trainers in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $50,860 and the 90th-percentile at $101,070, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Athletic Trainers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 10.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Athletic Trainers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.