Arts, Design, Media & Sports
Athletes and Sports Competitors
Also called: Baseball Pitcher, Baseball Player, Basketball Player, Golf Professional
US median pay
$66,710
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.5%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
2,200
22,900 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Compete in athletic events.
What they do day to day
- Assess performance following athletic competition, identifying strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to improve future performance.
- Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
- Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
- Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
- Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
- Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
- Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
- Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.
- Lead teams by serving as captain.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Coordination3.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
- Instructing3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Service Orientation2.9/5
Knowledge
- Administration and Management3.7/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.4/5
- Communications and Media3.3/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Less than high school35%
- Bachelor's degree24%
- High school diploma23%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.