Athletic Trainers
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.
Also called: Athletic Instructor · Athletic Lecturer · Athletic Trainer · Certified Athletic Trainer · Personal Trainer · Resident Athletic Trainer
Median pay (national)
$60,250
$45,380–$84,100 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
28,950
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+11.1%
~2,400 openings/yr
Typical entry
Master's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for athletic trainers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $84,100 versus $45,380 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $60,250 leaves roughly 40% 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 +11.1% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 2,400 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, New Jersey pays the most for this role (median $77,350, +28% vs the national median), while West Virginia sits lowest at $45,140 — a 71% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, 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. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Science
- Mathematics
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Office software
- BioEx Systems Exercise Pro
- Database software
- Digital Coach AthleticTrainer
- ImPACT Applications ImPACT
- Injury tracking software
- Keffer Development Services Athletic Trainer System ATS
- Premier Software Simtrak Mobility
- Scheduling software
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative