Athletic Trainer Salary

Los Angeles vs Pomona: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Pomona, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$80,450
$38.68/hr
Pomona, CA
$83,909
$40.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAPomona, CA
Median Salary$80,450$83,909
Hourly Rate$38.68$40.35
Entry Level (P10)$62,077$63,158
25th Percentile$71,787$72,716
75th Percentile$97,808$100,195
Top Earner (P90)$113,691$119,256
Total Employed56036
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($80,450) and Pomona ($83,909) athletic trainer salaries.Los AngelesPomonaMedian Salary$80,450$83,909Entry Level (P10)$62,077$63,158Top Earner (P90)$113,691$119,256US Median $65,415

Verdict

Pomona, CA offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Pomona is $3,459 (4.30%). Pomona's median is +28.27% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $51,614,Pomona spans $56,098. Pomona has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$62,077
P25$71,787
Median$80,450
P75$97,808
P90 (Top)$113,691
Pomona
P10 (Entry)$63,158
P25$72,716
Median$83,909
P75$100,195
P90 (Top)$119,256

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pomona ($74,190 effective) pays 4.73% more than Los Angeles ($70,840 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $80,450
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $70,840
Pomona
Nominal: $83,909
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $74,190

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Pomona if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,909/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,256)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,190)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Los Angeles grew 36.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -4.7% growth in Pomona over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+36.1%

$56,490 (2019) → $76,890 (2025)

Pomona, CA

+-4.7%

$84,177 (2024) → $80,196 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Los Angeles or Pomona?

Pomona has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $83,909/year, compared to Los Angeles at $80,450/year — a difference of $3,459 (4.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Pomona?

Los Angeles athletic trainers earn $38.68/hr while Pomona hygienists earn $40.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Pomona as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Pomona. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $70,840, Pomona = $74,190), job availability (560 vs 36 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Los Angeles vs Pomona?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $62,077 in Los Angeles and $63,158 in Pomona. The Pomona area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in athletic training. She specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has worked at several high schools and collegiate athletic programs.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gomez, MS, ATCData verified by David Kim, BS, ATC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov