Athletic Trainer Salary

Buffalo vs Glens Falls: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Buffalo, NY and Glens Falls, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buffalo, NY
$59,022
$28.38/hr
Glens Falls, NY
$61,951
$29.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYGlens Falls, NY
Median Salary$59,022$61,951
Hourly Rate$28.38$29.79
Entry Level (P10)$51,185$49,368
25th Percentile$52,367$55,029
75th Percentile$68,826$70,173
Top Earner (P90)$100,821$79,782
Total Employed1204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($59,022) and Glens Falls ($61,951) athletic trainer salaries.BuffaloGlens FallsMedian Salary$59,022$61,951Entry Level (P10)$51,185$49,368Top Earner (P90)$100,821$79,782US Median $65,415

Verdict

Buffalo and Glens Falls are closely matched on overall athletic trainer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Glens Falls is $2,929 (4.96%). Glens Falls's median is -5.30% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buffalo spans $49,636,Glens Falls spans $30,414. Buffalo has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$51,185
P25$52,367
Median$59,022
P75$68,826
P90 (Top)$100,821
Glens Falls
P10 (Entry)$49,368
P25$55,029
Median$61,951
P75$70,173
P90 (Top)$79,782

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($61,581 effective) pays 15.21% more than Glens Falls ($53,452 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $59,022
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $61,581
Glens Falls
Nominal: $61,951
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $53,452

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($100,821)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,581)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Glens Falls if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,951/year)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Buffalo grew 25.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -18.6% growth in Glens Falls over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+25.1%

$45,100 (2019) → $56,410 (2025)

Glens Falls, NY

+-18.6%

$72,753 (2024) → $59,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Buffalo or Glens Falls?

Glens Falls has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $61,951/year, compared to Buffalo at $59,022/year — a difference of $2,929 (4.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Glens Falls?

Buffalo athletic trainers earn $28.38/hr while Glens Falls hygienists earn $29.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Glens Falls as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Glens Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $61,581, Glens Falls = $53,452), job availability (120 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Buffalo vs Glens Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $51,185 in Buffalo and $49,368 in Glens Falls. The Buffalo 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