Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Salary in Syracuse, NY: $56,437 (2026)
Quick Answer:New athletic trainers entering the Syracuse, NY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $56,437 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Syracuse's local price level (BEA RPP 95.7 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $58,947 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($65,886) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Syracuse, New York, the anticipated entry-level athletic trainer salary for 2026 is positioned quite favorably on a local scale, with starting pay around $56,437. This figure is notably below the overall median salary for athletic trainers in the city, which is projected at $65,886, revealing a significant gap that illustrates the typical earnings trajectory for new professionals in the field. For recent graduates, this entry salary does show potential growth; many can expect to advance to about $58,582 within a few years, approaching the city's median as they gain experience. Given Syracuse's current job market dynamics, coupled with an annual growth rate of 4.63%, newly minted athletic trainers could find a supportive environment offering opportunities for advancement and development.
Career Earnings Timeline in Syracuse
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Syracuse
Entry-level athletic trainers in Syracuse, NY typically start between $56,437 and $58,582 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $18,740 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $65,886 — 0.72% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average athletic training program cost in New York of $90,000 represents just 159.47% of the starting athletic trainer pay ($56,437/year) in Syracuse. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAATE-accredited Master of Science in Athletic Training programs. Tuition varies between public in-state and private institutions; the BOC certification exam is required after graduation for practice.
AT, ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Syracuse
- 1Research the Syracuse market: entry-level athletic trainer pay ranges from $56,437 to $58,582, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the athletic training field — employers in NY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Syracuse, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Syracuse for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Syracuse's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Athletic Trainer Compensation Range
The athletic trainer wage spread in Syracuse is $18,740 ( 33.21%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $56,437, experienced hygienists can earn up to $75,177.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,720
2025 BLS Actual
$53,940
2026 Current Est.
$56,437
2019–2027 Growth
+86.2%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Syracuse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,437 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,050 | Projected |
Entry-level athletic trainer compensation (10th percentile) in Syracuse, NY grew 70.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,720 in 2019 to $53,940 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $59,050. New graduates entering the Syracuse job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Syracuse 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.
Starting Your athletic training Career in Syracuse
Across Syracuse, various employers are ripe for hiring entry-level athletic trainers, particularly high school athletic training services, often linked with hospital sports medicine programs. Private practices and industrial settings also present viable avenues for new grads, especially as they may offer higher compensation compared to traditional school roles. Credentials such as a master's degree from a CAATE-accredited program, passing the BOC exam for national certification, and obtaining state licensure are essential for enhancing starting athletic trainer pay in NY. As positions in industrial settings frequently pay 30-50% more than typical school placements, it would be prudent for new graduates to explore these opportunities. Realistically, first-year salaries can see a gradual increase as professionals familiarize themselves with their roles, paving the way for steady growth in the subsequent years.
More salary data for Syracuse, NY:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new athletic training graduates. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Syracuse. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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