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Athletic Trainer

Overview and Key Facts

boxer
Education
Education
Master's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$60,250
Job Growth
Job Growth
11.10%
(Above US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
37,600

What Do They Do?

An athletic trainer could...

 
soccer
Bandage a soccer player's knee to prevent an in-game injury.
swimmer
Design a muscle-strengthening regime to help a swimmer win Olympic gold.
military group
Help military recruits get physically prepared for combat.
hockey
Evaluate a hockey player's injuries to see if he is fit to play.
 
soccer swimmer military group hockey

Overview Listen to this section

Sports injuries can be painful and debilitating. Athletic trainers help athletes, and other physically active people, avoid such injuries, while also working to improve their strength and conditioning. Should a sports injury occur, athletic trainers help to evaluate the injury, determine the treatment needed, and design a fitness regime to rehabilitate the athlete so he or she is ready to go out and compete again.
Watch this video from the University of Central Florida for a firsthand glimpse at the work life of an athletic trainer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUE34RAGzwY

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Athletic Trainer?


  1. Active Listening: ?
  2. Judgment and Decision Making: ?
  3. Monitoring: ?
  4. Speaking: ?
  5. Critical Thinking: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Athletic Trainer might do:
  • Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
  • Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.
  • Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.
  • Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.
  • Perform general administrative tasks, such as keeping records or writing reports.
  • Clean and sanitize athletic training rooms.
  • Instruct coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel, or community members in the care and prevention of athletic injuries.
  • Apply protective or injury preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, or braces, to body parts, such as ankles, fingers, or wrists.
  • Collaborate with physicians to develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs for athletic injuries.
  • Travel with athletic teams to be available at sporting events.
  • Plan or implement comprehensive athletic injury or illness prevention programs.
  • Inspect playing fields to locate any items that could injure players.
  • Advise athletes on the proper use of equipment.
  • Confer with coaches to select protective equipment.
  • Develop training programs or routines designed to improve athletic performance.
  • Massage body parts to relieve soreness, strains, or bruises.
  • Accompany injured athletes to hospitals.
  • Lead stretching exercises for team members prior to games or practices.
  • Conduct research or provide instruction on subject matter related to athletic training or sports medicine.
  • Recommend special diets to improve athletes' health, increase their stamina, or alter their weight.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state
No data available for some states (white on the map)

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Athletic Trainer Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Athletic Trainer jobs (11.10%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming an Athletic Trainer

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

A bachelor's degree is usually the minimum requirement to work as an athletic trainer, but many athletic trainers hold a master's or a doctoral degree.

In 2006, 46 states required athletic trainers to be licensed or registered; this requires certification from the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC). For certification, athletic trainers need a bachelor's degree from an accredited athletic training program. In addition, a successful candidate for BOC certification must pass a rigorous examination. To retain certification, credential holders must continue taking medical-related courses and adhere to the BOC standards of practice. In states where licensure is not required, certification is voluntary, but may be helpful for those seeking jobs and advancement.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Master's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required for almost all jobs as an athletic trainer. In 2006, there were more than 350 accredited programs nationwide. Students in these programs are educated both in the classroom and in clinical settings. Formal education includes many science and health-related courses, such as human anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and biomechanics.

According to the National Athletic Trainers Association, 68 percent of athletic trainers have a master's or a doctoral degree. Athletic trainers may need a master's or a higher degree to be eligible for some positions, especially those in colleges and universities, and to increase their advancement opportunities. Because some positions in high schools involve teaching along with athletic trainer responsibilities, a teaching certificate or license could be required.

Companies That Hire Athletic Trainers

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Read an interview with Laura Ramus, long-time and now-retired Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) trainer.
...one of the other differentiating factors with the WNBA is that the women share an extremely hard work ethic; they never take anything for granted, always working hard for the team and me. 
Laura Ramus, Former New York Liberty Director of Player Performance

Nature of the Work

Athletic trainers help prevent and treat injuries for people of all ages. Their clients include everyone from professional athletes to industrial workers. Recognized by the American Medical Association as allied health professionals, athletic trainers specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Athletic trainers often are one of the first heath care providers on the scene when injuries occur, and therefore, they must be able to recognize, evaluate, and assess injuries and provide immediate care when needed. They are also heavily involved in the rehabilitation and reconditioning of injuries. Athletic trainers should not be confused with fitness trainers or personal trainers, who are not health care workers, but rather, train people to become physically fit.

Athletic trainers often help prevent injuries by advising on the proper use of equipment and applying protective or injury-preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, and braces. Injury prevention also often includes educating people on what they should do to avoid putting themselves at risk for injuries.

The work of athletic trainers requires frequent interaction with others. This includes consulting with physicians, as well as frequent contact with athletes and patients to discuss and administer treatments, rehabilitation programs, injury-preventive practices, and other health-related issues. Athletic trainers work under the supervision of a licensed physician, and in cooperation with other health care providers. The level of medical supervision varies, depending upon the setting. Some athletic trainers meet with the team physician or consulting physician once or twice a week; others interact with a physician every day.

Athletic trainers often have administrative responsibilities. These may include regular meetings with an athletic director or other administrative officer to deal with budgets, purchasing, policy implementation, and other business-related issues.

Work Environment

Athletic trainers work in a variety of settings, including: high schools, colleges and universities, professional sports, sports medicine clinics, and the military.

Schedules vary by work setting. Athletic trainers in non-sports settings generally have an established schedule—usually about 40 to 50 hours per week—with nights and weekends off. Athletic trainers working in hospitals and clinics may spend part of their time working at other locations doing outreach. Most commonly, these outreach programs include conducting athletic training services and speaking at high schools, colleges, and commercial businesses.

Athletic trainers in sports settings have schedules that are longer and more variable. These athletic trainers must be present for team practices and games, which often are on evenings and weekends, and their schedules can change on short notice when games and practices have to be rescheduled. As a result, athletic trainers in sports settings may regularly work six or seven days per week, including late hours.

In high schools, athletic trainers who also teach may work 60 to 70 hours a week, or more. In National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I colleges and universities, athletic trainers generally work with one team; when that team's sport is in season, working at least 50 to 60 hours a week is common. Athletic trainers in smaller colleges and universities often work with several teams and have teaching responsibilities. During the off-season, a 40-hour to 50-hour work week may be normal in most settings. Athletic trainers for professional sports teams generally work the most hours per week. During training camps, practices, and competitions, they may be required to work up to 12 hours a day.

More Information

Ask Questions

Do you have a specific question about a career as an Athletic Trainer that isn't answered on this page? Post your question on the Science Buddies Ask an Expert Forum.

Additional Resources

  • National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA): www.nata.org

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