Jobs Similar to Sports Medicine Physicians
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to sports medicine physicians, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians, Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Emergency Medicine Physicians.
Sports Medicine Physicians: $265,930 (broader BLS group) · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Sports Medicine Physicians) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 86% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 85% | $292,910 | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 85% | $335,550 | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Exercise PhysiologistsSame group | 84% | $59,460 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | HospitalistsSame group | 84% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 84% | $132,300 | Graduate degree |
| 7 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 83% | $256,560 | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Physician AssistantsSame group | 83% | $135,880 | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Physical TherapistsSame group | 83% | $102,760 | Graduate degree |
| 10 | UrologistsSame group | 83% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Nurse MidwivesSame group | 83% | $134,040 | Graduate degree |
| 12 | NeurologistsSame group | 83% | $248,560 | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Naturopathic PhysiciansSame group | 83% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Athletic Trainers | 83% | $62,520 | Graduate degree |
| 15 | OptometristsSame group | 82% | $136,570 | Graduate degree |
| 16 | DermatologistsSame group | 82% | $328,730 | Graduate degree |
| 17 | OrthoptistsSame group | 82% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 18 | Acute Care NursesSame group | 82% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Family Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $244,180 | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Pediatricians, GeneralSame group | 81% | $210,040 | Graduate degree |
- 1Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
86% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Obstetricians and Gynecologists
85% similar · $292,910 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Emergency Medicine Physicians
85% similar · $335,550 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Exercise Physiologists
84% similar · $59,460 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Hospitalists
84% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Nurse Practitioners
84% similar · $132,300 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7General Internal Medicine Physicians
83% similar · $256,560 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Physician Assistants
83% similar · $135,880 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Physical Therapists
83% similar · $102,760 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Urologists
83% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Nurse Midwives
83% similar · $134,040 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Neurologists
83% similar · $248,560 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Naturopathic Physicians
83% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Athletic Trainers
83% similar · $62,520 · Graduate degree
- 15Optometrists
82% similar · $136,570 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Dermatologists
82% similar · $328,730 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Orthoptists
82% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Acute Care Nurses
82% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 19Family Medicine Physicians
82% similar · $244,180 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 20Pediatricians, General
81% similar · $210,040 · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for sports medicine physicians also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like sports medicine physicians
What jobs are most similar to sports medicine physicians?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians (86% similar), Obstetricians and Gynecologists (85% similar), Emergency Medicine Physicians (85% similar), Exercise Physiologists (84% similar) and Hospitalists (84% similar).
Do jobs like sports medicine physicians pay more?
None of the 20 most similar careers has a higher BLS median pay than sports medicine physicians where a direct comparison is possible.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.