Athletes and Sports Competitors
Compete in athletic events.
Also called: Baseball Pitcher · Baseball Player · Basketball Player · Golf Professional · Hockey Player · Major League Baseball Player
Median pay (national)
$62,360
$24,960–$239,200+ (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
14,370
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+5.5%
~2,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for athletes and sports competitors shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $239,200+ versus $24,960 at the bottom 10% — 9.6x. The median of $62,360 leaves roughly 284% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +5.5% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 2,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 21 states with released data, New Jersey pays the most for this role (median $214,630, +244% vs the national median), while Arizona sits lowest at $33,640 — a 538% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
- 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.
- Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
- Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
Tools & technology
- Adobe Photoshop
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Motion analysis software
- Web browser software
- YouTube
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Communications and Media
- Education and Training
- Sales and Marketing
- Mathematics