Athletic Trainer Salary in Murrieta, CA: $81,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Murrieta, CA earns a median $81,003/year (≈ $38.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Murrieta's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,621 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Athletic trainers in Murrieta, California, can expect a median annual salary of $81,003 in 2026, which notably surpasses the national median of $65,415 by 23.83%. This salary range varies widely, starting at $63,146 for the bottom 10% (P10) and reaching up to $117,321 for the top 10% (P90). These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living considerations, reflecting the unique job market dynamics in Murrieta. The comparative strength of Murrieta's salary landscape is primarily influenced by the presence of industrial athletic training roles, which typically offer higher compensation than traditional positions in high schools or colleges.
About the Murrieta Market
Salary estimated from California average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,146 | $30.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,599 | $34.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,003 | $38.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,071 | $48.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,321 | $56.41 |
Median Salary Position
23.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murrieta
In Murrieta, CA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,175 (2026 est.). At $81,003, the local median is 23.83% above the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murrieta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murrieta Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Murrieta median: $81,003/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murrieta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $81,166 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | +23.83% more |
Athletic Trainers in Murrieta, CA earn a median of $81,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.83% higher than the national median of $65,415 and 0.20% below the California state average of $81,166.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murrieta has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Murrieta, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,003 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,621 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,984
2025 BLS Actual
$77,419
2026 Current Est.
$81,003
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Murrieta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,984 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,742 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,959 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,735 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,263 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,419 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murrieta metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $59,984 (2019) to $77,419 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,770 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murrieta 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) | $63,146 – $71,599 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,599 – $81,003 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,003 – $100,071 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,071 – $117,321 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Murrieta
In Murrieta, there are approximately 25 athletic trainers employed, which indicates a relatively stable job market. The local cost of living index, set at 113.1, suggests that while salaries are competitive, they must be weighed against higher living expenses. Among various employers, industrial and occupational health settings, such as those with Toyota or FedEx, tend to provide more lucrative opportunities compared to traditional sports settings like secondary schools and NCAA institutions. Factors contributing to the gap in pay include the nature of the employment—year-round contracts at industrial sites typically pay more than those in educational institutions where work may be seasonal—alongside the professional's role, be it head athletic trainer versus an assistant position. Athletic trainers aiming to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing certification add-ons such as CSCS or OCS-AT, while also seeking roles in industries that prioritize year-round health and safety, where compensation tends to be more favorable.
More salary data for Murrieta, 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 $77,419 for athletic trainersin the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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