Athletic Trainer Salary in Rochester, NY: $63,238 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Rochester, NY earns a median $63,238/year (≈ $30.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $65,170 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, NY, athletic trainers earn a median annual salary of $63,238, which reflects a competitive pay structure compared to the national average. The salary range for this profession spans from $52,859 at the 10th percentile to $90,243 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and underscore the dynamic nature of compensation within athletic training across different settings. Considering the trade-off between the school-year contracts typical in educational institutions and the year-round positions often found in industrial or occupational health settings, it becomes essential for prospective athletic trainers in Rochester to understand the potential earnings variations in these distinct environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,859 | $25.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,437 | $27.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,238 | $30.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,627 | $32.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,243 | $43.39 |
Median Salary Position
3.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,384 (2026 est.). At $63,238, the local median is 3.33% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Rochester median: $63,238/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $65,127 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -3.33% less |
Athletic Trainers in Rochester, NY earn a median of $63,238 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.33% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.90% below the New York state average of $65,127.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $63,238 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,170 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,730
2025 BLS Actual
$60,440
2026 Current Est.
$63,238
2019–2027 Growth
+38.6%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,238 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,166 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 26.6% from $47,730 (2019) to $60,440 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,166 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,436 (38.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $52,859 – $56,437 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,437 – $63,238 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,238 – $68,627 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,627 – $90,243 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Rochester
With 140 athletic trainers currently employed in the Rochester area, job opportunities remain solid. The cost of living index in Rochester is 97.035, slightly below the national average, which enhances the take-home purchasing power for athletic trainers working locally. Among the various employers in the region, positions within professional sports teams generally offer the highest salaries, yet college and university roles also provide competitive pay, particularly for certified athletic trainers. Factors influencing compensation include workplace settings, the contrast between school contracts and full-year roles, and additional responsibilities that can come with stipends for evening games or weekend events. For those looking to maximize their athletic trainer pay in Rochester NY, pursuing certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT can provide a significant edge in negotiations, especially in high-demand environments.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $60,440 for athletic trainersin the Rochester 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
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