Overview
Certified athletic trainers are highly qualified health professionals who are trained in preventing, recognizing, managing, and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. Athletic trainers can help you avoid unnecessary medical treatment and disruption of normal daily life; if you're injured, they are trained to work with your healthcare provider to get you on the mend and keep you on the move.
The AMA (American Medical Association) has recognized athletic training as an allied health care profession since 1990. If you become an athletic trainer, your job prospects are good: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this field is projected to grow "faster than average" through 2012. Typically athletic trainers earn a salary of $35,000 to $75,000 per year.
In addition, according to a recent survey by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), athletic trainers' salaries are on the upswing.
Since 2003, salaries have risen in the following settings:
- Youth sports (up 41%, to $46,296)
- Professional sports (up 31%, to $50,515)
- High schools (up 16%, to $42,442)
- Hospitals (up 15%, to $54,292)
- Performing arts (up 15%, to $56,135)
- Government settings (up 9%, to $50,716)
You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:
Athletic Trainer 14 May 2008 [pdf, 167 KB]
For more information about this health career, see the National Athletic Trainers' Association website.
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Salary:
$35,000
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$75,000
[*]
Years in school:
4
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0
after high school graduation
Job outlook:
Excellent
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