Athletic Trainer Salary in Cortland, NY: $59,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Cortland, NY earns a median $59,978/year (≈ $28.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Cortland's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $51,750 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for athletic trainers in Cortland, NY, stands at $59,978, falling below the national median of $65,415. Salary estimates indicate a range from $49,870 at the 10th percentile to $79,244 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse employment opportunities and settings for these professionals. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data with regional price adjustments, showcase the unique economic landscape in Cortland. The city's job market, which features a limited number of positions for athletic trainers, implies that while entry-level wages can be modest, more experienced professionals may benefit from better compensation, especially in industrial settings compared to the traditional school-based roles.
About the Cortland Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,870 | $23.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,595 | $26.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,978 | $28.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,451 | $33.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,244 | $38.10 |
Median Salary Position
8.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cortland
In Cortland, NY, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,374 (2026 est.). At $59,978, the local median is 8.31% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cortland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cortland Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Cortland median: $59,978/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cortland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $65,123 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -8.31% less |
Athletic Trainers in Cortland, NY earn a median of $59,978 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.31% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 7.90% below the New York state average of $65,123.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cortland has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cortland, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,978 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,750 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,414
2025 BLS Actual
$57,324
2026 Current Est.
$59,978
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Cortland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,414 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,716 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,396 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,365 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,115 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,435 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,324 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cortland metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $44,414 (2019) to $57,324 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,341 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cortland 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) | $49,870 – $54,595 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,595 – $59,978 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,978 – $70,451 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,451 – $79,244 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Cortland
Cortland's job market currently employs only four athletic trainers, hinting at potential competitiveness while also signifying a niche workplace. With a cost-of-living index of 115.9, the purchasing power for an athletic trainer salary in Cortland may be tempered by everyday expenses. Among local employers, industrial and occupational health positions typically offer the highest pay—companies like Toyota or FedEx often provide better salaries compared to high school athletic training roles or even collegiate positions. The salary disparity in Cortland can often be traced to a variety of factors such as job setting, experience level (head vs. assistant athletic trainer roles), and specialized certifications. For those looking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Cortland NY, seeking certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT and pursuing positions in industrial environments can prove advantageous in contrast to school-year contracts that limit earning potential.
More salary data for Cortland, 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
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 $57,324 for athletic trainersin the Cortland 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 Cortland 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