Healthcare Practitioners
Sports Medicine Physicians
Also called: Athletic Team Physician, MD (Medical Doctor), Nonsurgical Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician, Orthopedic Team Physician
US median pay
$265,930
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.4%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
9,400
367,400 employed
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.
What they do day to day
- Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
- Order and interpret the results of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging procedures.
- Record athletes' medical histories, and perform physical examinations.
- Refer athletes for specialized consultation, physical therapy, or diagnostic testing.
- Provide education and counseling on illness and injury prevention.
- Advise against injured athletes returning to games or competition if resuming activity could lead to further injury.
- Examine, evaluate and treat athletes who have been injured or who have medical problems such as exercise-induced asthma.
- Record athletes' medical care information, and maintain medical records.
- Examine and evaluate athletes prior to participation in sports activities to determine level of physical fitness or predisposition to injuries.
- Prescribe medications for the treatment of athletic-related injuries.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making4.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0/5
- Service Orientation3.9/5
- Coordination3.9/5
- Systems Evaluation3.8/5
- Instructing3.6/5
- Time Management3.5/5
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry4.9/5
- Biology4.3/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Therapy and Counseling4.2/5
- Psychology4.1/5
- Education and Training4.1/5
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): Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Doctoral degree51%
- Post-doctoral training49%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.