Healthcare practitioners
Athletic trainer
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.
Median pay
$62,520
Growth to 2035
+13%
faster than average
Openings a year
2,400
Time to qualify*
2 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Athletic trainer
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Exposure to disease
Athletic trainer: 99% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Athletic Instructor · Athletic Lecturer · Athletic Trainer · Certified Athletic Trainer · Personal Trainer · Resident Athletic Trainer · Women's Athletic Trainer
Outlook and AI
Athletic trainers held 35,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 39,600 by 2035 (+13%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Athletic trainer vs. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
- Athletic trainer vs. Physician (other specialties)
- Athletic trainer vs. Exercise physiologist
- Athletic trainer vs. Physical therapist assistant
- Athletic trainer vs. Recreational therapist
- Athletic trainer vs. Coaches and scouts
- Athletic trainer vs. Occupational therapist
- Athletic trainer vs. Physical therapist
- Athletic trainer vs. Chiropractor