Healthcare Practitioners
Athletic Trainers
Also called: Athletic Instructor, Athletic Lecturer, Athletic Trainer, Certified Athletic Trainer
US median pay
$62,520
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+12.7%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
2,400
35,200 employed
Typical entry education
Master's degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.8/5
- Service Orientation3.6/5
- Instructing3.6/5
- Time Management3.2/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.2/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry4.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Psychology4.2/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.9/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Master's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Master's degree54%
- Bachelor's degree37%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.