What is an Athlete?

Example of an Athlete Job Compete in athletic events.

List of Athlete Job Duties

• Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
• Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
• Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
• Lead teams by serving as captain.
• Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
• Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.

Qualities of an Athlete

Below is a list of the skills most Athletes and Sports Competitors say are important on the job.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Related Job Titles

• Figure Skater
• Golf Professional
• Barrel Racer
• Hockey Player
• Boxer

What Kind of Athlete Job Opportunities Are There?

In the United States, there were 11,800 jobs for Athletes and Sports Competitors in 2016.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.5% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 900 new jobs for Athletes and Sports Competitors by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,700 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Athletes and Sports Competitors are Florida, Colorado, and Utah.

Watch out if you plan on working in Idaho, Alaska, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Athlete Salary

Athletes and Sports Competitors Make between $19,040 and $208,000 a year. The median salary for this occupation is $50,650.

How much do Athletes and Sports Competitors make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Colorado	$183,110
Texas	$130,580
California	$125,160
New York	$102,930
Nevada	$89,730
Washington	$78,370
Florida	$76,870
Missouri	$72,590
Utah	$69,660
Rhode Island	$68,630
Nebraska	$67,930
Connecticut	$67,800
Georgia	$67,760
Kansas	$67,380
New Jersey	$65,430
Massachusetts	$63,700
Michigan	$52,680
Maryland	$50,250
Pennsylvania	$48,710
Kentucky	$40,600
South Carolina	$36,260

What Tools & Technology do Athletes and Sports Competitors Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Athletes and Sports Competitors:

• YouTube
• Facebook

How do I Become an Athlete?

What education or degrees do I need to become an Athlete or Sports Competitor?

What work experience do I need to become an Athlete?

Where Athletes and Sports Competitors Work

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons