Athletic Trainer Salary

Buffalo vs Yonkers: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

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

Buffalo, NY
$59,022
$28.38/hr
Yonkers, NY
$66,815
$32.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYYonkers, NY
Median Salary$59,022$66,815
Hourly Rate$28.38$32.12
Entry Level (P10)$51,185$49,538
25th Percentile$52,367$57,394
75th Percentile$68,826$82,787
Top Earner (P90)$100,821$100,897
Total Employed12045
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($59,022) and Yonkers ($66,815) athletic trainer salaries.BuffaloYonkersMedian Salary$59,022$66,815Entry Level (P10)$51,185$49,538Top Earner (P90)$100,821$100,897US Median $65,415

Verdict

Yonkers, NY offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Buffalo.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Yonkers is $7,793 (13.20%). Yonkers's median is +2.14% 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,Yonkers spans $51,359. Yonkers has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced athletic trainers.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$51,185
P25$52,367
Median$59,022
P75$68,826
P90 (Top)$100,821
Yonkers
P10 (Entry)$49,538
P25$57,394
Median$66,815
P75$82,787
P90 (Top)$100,897

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($61,581 effective) pays 6.82% more than Yonkers ($57,649 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $59,022
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $61,581
Yonkers
Nominal: $66,815
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $57,649

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

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

Choose Yonkers if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,815/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,897)
  • 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 Yonkers over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+25.1%

$45,100 (2019) → $56,410 (2025)

Yonkers, NY

+-18.6%

$78,464 (2024) → $63,858 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Buffalo or Yonkers?

Yonkers has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $66,815/year, compared to Buffalo at $59,022/year — a difference of $7,793 (13.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Yonkers?

Buffalo athletic trainers earn $28.38/hr while Yonkers hygienists earn $32.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Yonkers as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Yonkers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $61,581, Yonkers = $57,649), job availability (120 vs 45 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $51,185 in Buffalo and $49,538 in Yonkers. 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