Sports Medicine Physicians

SOC: 29-1229 O*NET: 29-1229.06
Median Salary
$265,930
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.5%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
9.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.

What does a Sports Medicine Physicians do?

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$69,170
10th percentile
Early Career
$102,930
25th percentile
Median
$265,930
50th percentile
Experienced
$378,770
75th percentile
Top Earners
$452,360
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$69,170
25th
$102,930
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$265,930
Mean: $262,040
75th
$378,770
90th
$452,360
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • •Salary range spans $383,190 from entry level to top earners
  • •Middle 50% earn between $102,930 and $378,770
  • •Salary spread is 103.7% around the median, showing high variation
  • •Total national employment: 342,720 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:340,700

Top Industries

Ambulatory Health Care Services49.4%
Offices of Physicians44%
Hospitals26.7%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+2.5%
Annual Openings:9,600

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)340,700
Current
2034 (Projected)349,300
+2.5%
+8,600
Employment Change
+2.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Sports Medicine Physicians professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
30,720 jobs$269,8000.99x
California
25,530 jobs$281,5900.64x
Pennsylvania
23,800 jobs$217,3101.78x
Florida
23,390 jobs$262,1801.07x
Ohio
21,160 jobs$297,4401.73x
Illinois
20,790 jobs$132,5401.55x
New York
16,600 jobs$242,5000.78x
North Carolina
14,080 jobs$260,3301.29x
Michigan
13,150 jobs$155,4801.36x
Maryland
10,340 jobs$212,0801.70x
New Jersey
9,730 jobs$285,0101.03x
Georgia
8,580 jobs$266,8800.80x
Virginia
8,480 jobs$278,5300.94x
Massachusetts
8,210 jobs$236,5801.02x
Arizona
6,800 jobs$312,4900.95x

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 2025

Key Growth Factors

  • •Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Medicine and Dentistry
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
100%
#3
Problem Sensitivity
100%
#4
Biology
94%
#5
Critical Thinking
94%
#6
Written Comprehension
92%
#7
English Language
86%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
86%
#9
Oral Comprehension
82%
#10
Active Listening
80%

Skills Overview

Medicine and Dentistry
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Problem Sensitivity
advanced5.0
100%
Biology
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Written Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
English Language
intermediate4.3
86%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.3
86%

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:

Medicine and Dentistry

advanced
Importance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0

Reading Comprehension

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Problem Sensitivity

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Biology

advanced
Importance94%
knowledge
4.7/5.0

Critical Thinking

advanced
Importance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0

Written Comprehension

advanced
Importance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0

English Language

intermediate
Importance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

intermediate
Importance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0

Oral Comprehension

intermediate
Importance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Education and Training

intermediate
Importance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers100%
5 shared skills
Audiologists100%
5 shared skills
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators100%
5 shared skills
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists100%
5 shared skills
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates100%
5 shared skills
Neurologists100%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • ✓Active Listening
  • ✓Medicine and Dentistry
  • ✓Biology
  • ✓English Language
  • ✓Education and Training
Learn on the Job:
  • →Speaking
  • →Monitoring
  • →Administration and Management

Mid Career

Expected:
  • ✓Active Listening
  • ✓Medicine and Dentistry
  • ✓Biology
  • ✓English Language
  • ✓Education and Training

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • ★Active Listening
  • ★Medicine and Dentistry
  • ★Biology
  • ★English Language
  • ★Education and Training

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 Sports Medicine Physicians

Technology Intensity
Low

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires basic digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Email and internet usageBasic software navigationFile management

Technology Stack

Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.

📚 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
Varies
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
Varies
🤝
Customer Interaction
NONE

💡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 varies environments?
  • •Can you meet low physical demands?

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 Sports Medicine Physicians

💡 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?

Sports Medicine Physicians professionals typically have a ISR Holland code and highly value achievement

IInvestigative
SSocial
RRealistic

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Sports Medicine Physicians

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.92

Concern for Others

Critical

Concern for Others

Importance Level4.86

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.76

Attention to Detail

Critical

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.76

Cooperation

Critical

Cooperation

Importance Level4.67

Initiative

Critical

Initiative

Importance Level4.58

Complete Work Styles Profile

Integrity
4.9
Concern for Others
4.9
Dependability
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.8
Cooperation
4.7
Initiative
4.6
Achievement/Effort
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Leadership
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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