Life As an Athlete or Sports Competitor
Job Description & Duties Compete in athletic events.
What Do Athletes and Sports Competitors Do On a Daily Basis?
- Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
- 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.
- Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.
- Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
- Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
Things an Athlete Should Know How to Do
When polled, Athletes and Sports Competitors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Gamer
- Minor League Baseball Player
- Baseball Player
- Horse Racer
- Professional Soccer Player
Is There Job Demand for Athletes and Sports Competitors?
In the United States, there were 11,800 jobs for Athlete or Sports Competitor in 2016. 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. 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 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.
Athlete Salary
The average yearly salary of an Athlete ranges 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 different U.S. states?
| 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 |
What Tools do Athletes and Sports Competitors Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Athletes and Sports Competitors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- YouTube
- Motion analysis software
How do I Become an Athlete?
Learn what Athlete or Sports Competitor education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become an Athlete?
Where Athletes and Sports Competitors Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Athletes and Sports Competitors work:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Michael Ellis via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.