Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.
Athletic Trainers
SOC: 29-9091 O*NET: 29-9091.00
Median Salary
$60,250
per year
Job Growth
🚀 11.1%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.
What does a Athletic Trainers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$45,380
10th percentile
Early Career
$51,590
25th percentile
Median
$60,250
50th percentile
Experienced
$70,880
75th percentile
Top Earners
$84,100
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$45,380
25th
$51,590
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$60,250
Mean: $63,960
75th
$70,880
90th
$84,100
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $38,720 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $51,590 and $70,880
- •Salary spread is 32.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 28,950 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:33,900
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services27.1%
Hospitals17.6%
Educational Services17.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+11.1%
Annual Openings:2,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)33,900
Current
2034 (Projected)37,600
+11.1%
+3,800
Employment Change
+11.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Athletic Trainers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Pennsylvania
2,310 jobs$58,9702.04x
Texas
2,030 jobs$66,4300.78x
California
1,760 jobs$74,1500.52x
Ohio
1,690 jobs$60,9001.63x
Florida
1,490 jobs$58,4100.81x
Georgia
1,300 jobs$61,7901.42x
New York
1,180 jobs$63,8500.66x
North Carolina
1,050 jobs$52,9801.14x
Illinois
900 jobs$62,1400.79x
Virginia
890 jobs$58,2001.17x
Minnesota
840 jobs$64,3401.54x
Michigan
820 jobs$58,5500.99x
Massachusetts
790 jobs$63,7201.16x
Arizona
790 jobs$58,2701.32x
New Jersey
740 jobs$77,3500.93x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Reading Comprehension
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Service Orientation
46%
#10
Instructing
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Animal Trainers82%
5 shared skills
Dental Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Dentists, General82%
5 shared skills
Dietetic Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Athletic Trainers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (3)General Responsibilities (9)Planning & Development (3)Training & Development (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Apply protective or injury preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, or braces, to body parts, such as ankles, fingers, or wrists.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation88% perform92%
6
Collaborate with physicians to develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs for athletic injuries.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Advise athletes on the proper use of equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Plan or implement comprehensive athletic injury or illness prevention programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Develop training programs or routines designed to improve athletic performance.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Travel with athletic teams to be available at sporting events.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Athletic Trainers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Athletic Trainers professionals typically have a SRI Holland code and highly value achievement
SSocial
RRealistic
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Athletic Trainers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.89
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.83
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.73
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.60
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.59
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.53
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.9
Concern for Others
4.8
Dependability
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Persistence
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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