What is an Athlete or Sports Competitor?
Athlete Example Compete in athletic events.
A Day in the Life of an Athlete
- Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
- Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
- Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
- Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
- Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.
- Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
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Athlete Needed Skills
These are the skills Athletes and Sports Competitors say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Athlete Jobs
- Drag Car Racer
- Skate Boarder
- Horse Racer
- Bass Fisher
- Softball Player
Job Outlook for Athletes and Sports Competitors
There were about 11,800 jobs for Athlete or Sports Competitor in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 900 new jobs for Athlete or Sports Competitor by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Athlete are Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Idaho, Alaska, or Minnesota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for an Athlete
The typical yearly salary for Athletes and Sports Competitors is somewhere between $19,040 and $208,000.
Athletes and Sports Competitors who work in Colorado, California, or Texas, make the highest salaries.
How much do Athletes and Sports Competitors make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $125,160 |
| Colorado | $183,110 |
| Connecticut | $67,800 |
| Florida | $76,870 |
| Georgia | $67,760 |
| Kansas | $67,380 |
| Kentucky | $40,600 |
| Maryland | $50,250 |
| Massachusetts | $63,700 |
| Michigan | $52,680 |
| Missouri | $72,590 |
| Nebraska | $67,930 |
| Nevada | $89,730 |
| New Jersey | $65,430 |
| New York | $102,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,710 |
| Rhode Island | $68,630 |
| South Carolina | $36,260 |
| Texas | $130,580 |
| Utah | $69,660 |
| Washington | $78,370 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Athletes and Sports Competitors
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Athletes and Sports Competitors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- YouTube
- Motion analysis software
How to Become an Athlete
Learn what Athlete or Sports Competitor education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Athletes and Sports Competitors Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Michael Ellis via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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