Athletic Trainer Salary in Garden Grove, CA: $83,010 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Garden Grove, CA earns a median $83,010/year (≈ $39.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Garden Grove's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,395 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the athletic trainer salary in Garden Grove stands at a median of $83,010, reflecting a notable 26.90% increase compared to the national median of $65,415. Salary ranges for athletic trainers here vary significantly, starting from $61,055 at the lower end (P10) to reaching as high as $119,211 (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living conditions, underscore the city’s competitive pay scale for athletic trainers. With both school-year contracts and year-round positions available, the difference in roles can influence earnings. The job market shows promise, attracting a blend of professionals focused on school settings and those pursuing opportunities in industrial or occupational health environments.
About the Garden Grove Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,055 | $29.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,855 | $34.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,854 | $48.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,211 | $57.32 |
Median Salary Position
26.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden Grove
In Garden Grove, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,156 (2026 est.). At $83,010, the local median is 26.9% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garden Grove Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Garden Grove median: $83,010/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $81,144 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $65,415 | +26.90% more |
Athletic Trainers in Garden Grove, CA earn a median of $83,010 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.90% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 2.30% above the California state average of $81,144.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden Grove has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden Grove, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,010 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,395 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,470
2025 BLS Actual
$79,337
2026 Current Est.
$83,010
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Garden Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,272 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,444 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,322 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,512 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,276 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,337 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,010 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,854 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden Grove metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $61,470 (2019) to $79,337 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,854 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,384 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden Grove 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $61,055 – $70,855 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,855 – $83,010 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,010 – $99,854 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,854 – $119,211 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Garden Grove
In Garden Grove, approximately 37 athletic trainers are currently employed, illustrating a robust local job market within the field. The cost of living index here is 113.1, indicating that, while salaries are higher than the national average, the purchasing power may be pressured by the local economy. Those seeking the highest athletic trainer pay in Garden Grove, CA, may find opportunities with professional sports teams or industrial health settings like Toyota and FedEx, which often provide more lucrative compensation compared to secondary school roles. Factors contributing to pay disparity include the nature of the work environment, with professionals in some settings earning 30-50% more due to the demands of their roles. To maximize earnings, aspiring athletic trainers should consider pursuing advanced certifications and seeking positions that involve evening or weekend work, as these can come with additional stipends and increased responsibility.
More salary data for Garden Grove, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $79,337 for athletic trainersin the Garden Grove metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Garden Grove 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