Athletic Trainers pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $54,770 a year or less, while the top 10% make $109,320 or more. The middle half of athletic trainers in San Diego earn between $61,180 and $90,430.
- $55K10th
- $61K25th
- $74KMedian
- $90K75th
- $109K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $76,930 | $6,411 | — |
| Median | $73,770 | $6,148 | — |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $61,180 | $5,098 | — |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $90,430 | $7,536 | — |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.
Athletic Trainers pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Athletic trainers in San Diego earn 5% less than the California average ($80,780) and 15% more than the U.S. average ($66,620). At the median the gap is +18% against the U.S. median of $62,520.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $76,930 | $73,770 | $54,770 | $109,320 | 200 |
| California | $80,780 | $78,490 | $54,770 | $108,050 | 1,760 |
| United States | $66,620 | $62,520 | $48,180 | $88,760 | 30,500 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Athletic Trainers salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $76,930, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $59,868 a year, or $4,989 a month and $2,303 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for athletic trainers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $76,930 buys what about $68,757 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 12.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Athletic Trainers salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 6th of 7 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($91,240).
- San Jose$91,240
- San Francisco$84,990
- Los Angeles$80,940
- Riverside$80,560
- Sacramento$78,620
- San Diego$76,930
- Fresno$71,450
Highest-paying cities for athletic trainers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($91,240).
- San Jose, CA$91,240
- San Francisco, CA$84,990
- Waterbury, CT$82,610
- New York, NY$81,290
- McAllen, TX$81,150
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Athletic Trainers salary in San Diego: questions
What is the entry-level athletic trainers salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $54,770 a year and the 25th percentile is $61,180, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the athletic trainers take-home pay in San Diego?
About $59,868 a year ($4,989 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $76,930. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do athletic trainers earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 15% more than the U.S. average for this job ($66,620).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-9091; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.68, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.68).
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