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, Clinical Athletic Instructor, Clinical Athletic Trainer
Median pay
$62,520
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,180 – $88,760
People employed
30,500
Holland code
SRI
Social · Realistic · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 2.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 4.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 5.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Exposure to disease or infection
Athletic Trainers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What athletic trainers do
- 01Conduct 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.
- 02Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.
- 03Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.
- 04Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.
- 05Perform general administrative tasks, such as keeping records or writing reports.
- 06Clean and sanitize athletic training rooms.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: none or short demonstration.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from athletic trainers
- Physical Therapists90% · +64%
- Exercise Physiologists90% · −5%
- Occupational Therapists87% · +60%
- Physical Therapist Assistants84% · +9%
- Recreational Therapists83% · −1%
Change into athletic trainers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Sports Medicine Physicians90% · $265,930
- Exercise Physiologists88% · $59,460
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians82% · $265,930
- Naturopathic Physicians79% · $115,210
- Hospitalists78% · $265,930
Majors that lead here
- Physical Fitness Technician
- Athletic Training/Trainer
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.