Athletic Trainers
SOC code 29-9091 · O*NET-SOC 29-9091.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Athletic Trainers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$62,520
a year
Hourly
—
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$66,620
— per hour
Middle 50%
$55,130 – $74,630
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$48,180 – $88,760
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
30,500
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $48,180
- —/hr
- 25th percentile
- $55,130
- —/hr
- Median percentile
- $62,520
- —/hr
- 75th percentile
- $74,630
- —/hr
- 90th percentile
- $88,760
- —/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+11%
Growing much faster than average
33,900
jobs in 2024
37,600
projected for 2034
About 3,700 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does an athletic trainer do?
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become an athletic trainer
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 54% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree54%
- Bachelor's Degree37%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)8%
Common questions
How much does an athletic trainer earn?
The national median is $62,520 a year. The full range runs from $48,180 at the 10th percentile to $88,760 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an athletic trainer without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is athletic trainer in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 11% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry4.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Psychology4.2/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.9/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- Public Safety and Security3.2/5
- Administrative3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Service Orientation.