Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay in Oceanside, CA: $39.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a athletic trainer working in Oceanside, CA runs $39.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,387 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Weighted against Oceanside's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,437 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Athletic trainers in Oceanside, CA, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $39.61 in 2026, significantly above the national hourly median of $31.45. This hourly rate reflects the opportunities available for athletic trainers in various environments, including high school training rooms, college athletic facilities, and professional sports teams. Those seeking part-time or per-diem positions, often working three days a week, can expect to receive anywhere from $28.78 at the entry level to $56.14 for top earners in the field. Such variability highlights the demand for skilled athletic trainers, with the potential for lucrative pay appealing in settings like industrial clinics or military bases, where the hourly rates are derived from projected annual salary data.
About the Oceanside Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.78 | $230.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.45 | $267.60 |
| Median (P50) | $39.61 | $316.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.29 | $378.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.14 | $449.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oceanside
Based on $39.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.61/hr, a athletic trainer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oceanside, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,395 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,536. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Oceanside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oceanside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,584.52 | $6,866 | $82,395 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $950.71 | $4,120 | $49,437 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $633.81 | $2,746 | $32,958 |
Compare AT, ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer (Oceanside) | $39.61 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Athletic Trainers in Oceanside, CA earn a median of $82,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.95% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 1.50% above the California state average of $81,169.
Athletic Trainer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.61/hr = $49,437/year (purchasing power: $43,711).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,395/year (purchasing power: $72,851).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Oceanside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for athletic trainers in Oceanside grew 29.1% from $29.33/hr (2019) to $37.86/hr (2025). At a 4.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.45/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem athletic trainers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oceanside metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Athletic Trainer in Oceanside
Delving into the earning potential for part-time athletic trainers reveals a different financial picture. A trainer working 24 hours a week could take home an annual income of approximately $49,000, compared to their full-time counterparts making upwards of $82,387 based on the median annual salary. For those in per-diem roles, coverage for athletic events can pay between $200 and $500 per event, offering flexible earning options. Furthermore, trainers working in industrial settings, such as Toyota or FedEx, may charge $50 to $80 an hour, often providing higher compensation compared to traditional school roles. Many athletic trainers face a practical trade-off between hourly pay and benefits, where accepting slightly lower rates may offer critical health insurance packages. In Oceanside, effective negotiation strategies include emphasizing specialized skills and updated qualifications, particularly since the master's degree requirement established by the 2022 transition can position individuals for higher hourly rates in a competitive market.
More salary data for Oceanside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for athletic trainers in Oceanside in 2026?
How much do part-time athletic trainers make in Oceanside?
Are athletic trainers in Oceanside paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time athletic trainer make per year in Oceanside?
Do athletic trainers earn more per hour working part-time in Oceanside?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for athletic trainers in Oceanside. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oceanside is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for athletic trainers (SOC 29-9091).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov