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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
Think of this page as a pay transparency report the industry doesn't publish. The national median salary for Athletic Coachs in 2026 is $51,211, with entry-level positions averaging $36,872 and senior roles reaching $72,720. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $93,280, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
Athletic Coach falls within the Education sector, specifically in Education. The typical education path involves Bachelor's degree. The career outlook? Growing. Work style is on-site — which means location flexibility varies, and so does the premium different markets are willing to pay. For early-career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math.
$56,760 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Athletic Coach in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $93,280 — $56,760 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($36,520). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. In the right market, this is a six-figure career path.
The three-tier salary picture for Athletic Coachs in 2026: $36,872 at entry (P10), $51,211 at midpoint, and $72,720 at the senior end (P90). The city-level data complicates the national narrative. The $35,848 range from bottom to top isn't just experience — it's geography, specialization, and industry mixed together. The median itself lands $29,156 below the national median household income of $80,367.
Compare the extremes: the highest-paying trio of cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Irvine) averages $87,120, while the lowest-paying trio (Toledo, Detroit, Akron) averages $36,813. The $50,307 difference is the kind of number that reshapes career strategy — assuming the cost of living cooperates.
A Athletic Coach in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $93,280 — $56,760 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($36,520). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $36,872 | $51,211 | $72,720 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £18,424 | £25,589 | £36,336 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$33,716 | CA$46,828 | CA$66,495 |
| Australia | 13 | A$39,718 | A$55,163 | A$78,332 |
| Sweden | 24 | 219,367 kr | 304,677 kr | 432,641 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $44,503 | $61,809 | $87,769 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $43,006 | $59,730 | $84,817 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $42,768 | $59,400 | $84,348 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $39,600 | $55,000 | $78,100 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $39,125 | $54,340 | $77,163 |
| Washington | 8 | $38,372 | $53,295 | $75,679 |
| New York | 5 | $36,115 | $50,160 | $71,227 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $36,115 | $50,160 | $71,227 |
| Florida | 22 | $35,842 | $49,780 | $70,688 |
| Colorado | 11 | $35,222 | $48,920 | $69,466 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $35,165 | $48,840 | $69,353 |
| Nevada | 5 | $35,101 | $48,752 | $69,228 |
| Arizona | 12 | $34,927 | $48,510 | $68,884 |
| Oregon | 5 | $34,848 | $48,400 | $68,728 |
| Idaho | 3 | $34,742 | $48,253 | $68,520 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $34,468 | $47,872 | $67,978 |
| Utah | 4 | $34,373 | $47,740 | $67,791 |
| Virginia | 7 | $33,807 | $46,954 | $66,675 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $33,370 | $46,347 | $65,812 |
| Alaska | 1 | $33,264 | $46,200 | $65,604 |
| Illinois | 5 | $32,884 | $45,672 | $64,854 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $32,067 | $44,538 | $63,244 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $31,680 | $44,000 | $62,480 |
| Montana | 1 | $31,680 | $44,000 | $62,480 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $31,574 | $43,853 | $62,272 |
| Texas | 40 | $31,419 | $43,637 | $61,965 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $31,364 | $43,560 | $61,856 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $31,205 | $43,340 | $61,543 |
| Georgia | 6 | $31,099 | $43,193 | $61,335 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $31,046 | $43,120 | $61,230 |
| Kansas | 4 | $30,888 | $42,900 | $60,918 |
| Michigan | 6 | $30,782 | $42,753 | $60,710 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $30,413 | $42,240 | $59,981 |
| Maryland | 1 | $30,413 | $42,240 | $59,981 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $30,096 | $41,800 | $59,356 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $30,096 | $41,800 | $59,356 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $29,304 | $40,700 | $57,794 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $29,146 | $40,480 | $57,482 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $28,750 | $39,930 | $56,701 |
| Missouri | 4 | $28,750 | $39,930 | $56,701 |
| Alabama | 5 | $28,639 | $39,776 | $56,482 |
| Indiana | 3 | $28,195 | $39,160 | $55,607 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $28,195 | $39,160 | $55,607 |
| Iowa | 2 | $27,878 | $38,720 | $54,982 |
| Ohio | 6 | $27,826 | $38,647 | $54,878 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $26,611 | $36,960 | $52,483 |
At the state level, California leads with an average Athletic Coach median of $61,809 across 61 cities, followed by Massachusetts ($59,730) and Hawaii ($59,400). State averages smooth out the extremes — here's what they reveal: The lowest-paying states — Mississippi, Ohio, Iowa — offer medians between $36,960 and $38,720. But state averages mask city-level variation that's often just as large.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($93,280 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $44,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $93,280 | 212 | $44,000 | $58,163 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $87,120 | 198 | $44,000 | $54,649 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $80,960 | 184 | $44,000 | $51,135 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $79,640 | 181 | $44,000 | $50,382 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $78,320 | 178 | $44,000 | $49,629 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $77,880 | 177 | $44,000 | $49,378 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $77,880 | 177 | $44,000 | $49,378 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $76,120 | 173 | $44,000 | $48,373 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $76,120 | 173 | $44,000 | $48,373 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $74,360 | 169 | $44,000 | $47,369 |
The $35,848 gap between P10 and P90 represents the earning trajectory of a Athletic Coach career. Senior-level earners make 2.0× what entry-level professionals do — a solid progression that justifies the upfront investment. In the Education sector, growing, which shapes both starting salaries and long-term ceiling.
The weighted national median salary for Athletic Coachs is $51,211 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $36,872, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $72,720.
The highest-paying city for Athletic Coachs is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $93,280. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($93,280), Santa Clara ($87,120), Irvine ($80,960). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Athletic Coach salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $36,520. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Athletic Coachs (10th percentile) average $36,872 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $67,162. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Athletic Coachs average $72,720 nationally — $35,848 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Athletic Coachs can earn up to $132,458.
The top-paying states for Athletic Coachs are California ($61,809 median), Massachusetts ($59,730 median), Hawaii ($59,400 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Athletic Coach involves Bachelor's degree. The field is in the Education sector (Education), and the career outlook is growing. Work style is typically on-site.
With a national median of $51,211 and representation across 288 metro areas, Athletic Coach offers a foundation that can be strengthened by strategic location choices. The $35,848 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: growing.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.